Most of the dinner was thankfully devoid of any such outlandish dramatics, returning back to a more standard fare. Stewed vegetables and roast meats, accompanied by freshly baked bread. However, the guests did express their surprise and praise for the quality of bread, both Gionre and Alderash wondering if perhaps it was perhaps just as good as bread baked in the more richer duchies. It made Kuch wonder if those bakers there perhaps knew the truth about [Ferment], or if the grain quality was simply better. More likely the latter, else [Ferment] wouldn't have been such a shunned and stigmatized skill for so long.

  Hm, perhaps the oathbreaker could look into trying to improve pastries as a whole when the ingredients become more varied and of sufficient quality later.

  For now, after the last of the main dishes were cleared away, some wine was provided to help moisten throats for some idle conversation before dessert. However, instead of a servant handling the pouring, it was surprisingly Petula who rose out from her chair and took the bottle from the shocked servant. "Please allow me to serve our honored guests," she told smoothly, stepping behind both guests and family alike to pour out a serving into their goblets. Given the uncomfortably shifts and fidgeting from House Cordis, this definitely wasn't arranged or agreed upon beforehand.

  Yet none could say that she at the very least made it actually look very impressive and elegant, making service look like an art in itself. That, combined with how she had dined with etiquette that made the others look like they were crudely feasting with their bare hands, made everybody's cheeks flush lightly, and not from the alcohol. "Your daughter is quite the mannered and educated lady," Alderash praised and sipped his drink. "Any partner she ends up with would be blessed."

  "I think that she'd even turn heads in the southern courts," Gionre added. "She's quite charming, pardon my bluntness."

  "She has, of recent, been given quite the exceptional instructor," Gregori admitted before giving a cool glance at his daughter. "Though I'll admit, I haven't quite expected such...growth."

  Petula simply smiled and bowed her head slightly. "All in the name of proper etiquette that any child of House Cordis ought to possess."

  Both Teodor and Vio flinched, the two reminded of the 'remedial' etiquette training they had been subjected to before the dinner at Petula's insistence. Kuch honestly didn't know what had happened, but Petula was becoming almost like a mirror of Cordelia in the present day. It was quite fascinating, including the bit where the vampire could almost unknowingly charm anybody she came into contact with...

  "Tell me, have you any aspirations of partnership-"

  "My duty is to House Cordis and to my master, so I must decline."

  ...including the bit where she had been dense about most of it. It had been honestly something of a shock to learn that Cordelia had actually realized and settled down with somebody at the end, but it probably had taken a few centuries. For Petula, maybe that'll translate to a couple decades?

  Wasn't that a depressing thought, Kuch morosely reflected, before returning their attention back to the conversation at hand. It looked like they were ready to continue talking about serious matters once more. "How goes the efforts of the Third Legion to subjugate the chaos that has swallowed the majority of this western region?"

  "It's hard to say given we could only go on the offense during fall. Significant gains have been mostly limited to outsider regions of Fuzier and Viszal, to establish at least bases for us to plot further offensives from," Gionre revealed, following it up with a sigh that was filled with both remorseful and anticipatory. "While it could have been possible for us to continue on with a winter campaign, I judged it unwise given lack of information about our opposition."

  "Oh?" rumbled Gregori with a frown. "But are they not all just former soldiers and mercenaries turned bandits?"

  "Not necessarily. Some are still properly equipped house troops, following orders to secure territory and thus power in the absence of authority." The general's eyes sharpened. "And it appears that some have also caught wind of our deployment and are even taking advantage of it."

  "How so? Should they not immediately cede before the emperor's flag?"

  "They would, had there apparently not been already fake legionary soldiers involved."

  That earned a start from those listening in. "Fakes already?" Teodor questioned. "Yet surely, callous as I am to say, even if you had lost a few scouting parties it should not be that soon."

  "It ties into a curious matter brought to my attention from some prisoners we captured. You see, even before everything that had gone down, Viszal had a flourishing black market in the vast tunnels beneath the city," the orc commander explained. "The legitimate businesses above helped conceal a vast underworld below, and a few even claim the nobles running the city were in on it."

  "Having been there, I can testify that some of the quality of their house troop gear did seem a little too good for the region." Alderash mentioned, thoughtful look on his face. "Something that I would have ordinarily expected from the legionaries, but had put down to good connections. Now though, my guess is that those had been procured from said black market- sourced from looters and deserters likely."

  "All they needed to do then was repaint them in our colors then, from afar, they look like the Third Legion. It's already been used to great effect, with some nobles apparently having let in what looked like legionaries from afar into their defenses- only to be butchered within when the blades are drawn." Gionre's face tightened. "We even almost fell for the same trick a few time ourselves, spies slipping into our large camps. But their outdated armor gave them away when quartermasters noticed the discrepancy."

  "It's impossible to keep track of every legionary's identity, and historically, it has been a problem for even the most veteran commanders. The most drastic case being that nobody had noticed transfers from the Fourth Legion were actually undead until it had been too late, leading to many officers being slain in the opening moments of the Corpse Emperor's rising," Vio commented, drawing upon readings of the such events. "Of course, making it extraordinarily difficult for legionary equipment to be used outside any of the legions stymies it somewhat. But dedication overcomes challenge."

  The noble general nodded. "Indeed, and since then, I have already ordered all of my teams to review and refresh their knowledge of armor models. Since the bandits are using outdated gear, then we are now able to at least identify anymore attempted copycats. But the damage is already done," he sourly remarked. "Most other nobility now looks to our messages with a sense of wariness, and some even take advantage to call some of our efforts fakes. The imperial authority is spoiled, barring a direct visit from Her Radiance- which certainly wouldn't be happening anytime soon."

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  Kuch recalled that the emperor's health had been on the decline, as she had abruptly collapsed last winter. So far there hadn't been any repeated incidents, yet the courts still held that memory fresh in their mind with her elderly age- speculation rife about when the end of her time would come. And for that messy game of succession to begin. Wonderful, the empire might be looking at its own internal power spat that makes this local chaos seem like just a tavern brawl.

  The doll thought though this might be yet another fortune in disguise, at least for the growth of House Cordis. None would care about the western frontier expanding, though eyes might be drawn to it in time as a political tool of support. They supposed they'd cross that bridge when they got to it though.

  "Viszal continues to be a nasty opponent to face against," Teodor concluded with a frown. "Yet they are a regional power for a reason. Their farms are plenty, their assorted mines productive. and they have been given plenty favors from the faith, their house having once been devoted followers of the Ten. But I suppose with the fall of their house, such points are moot."

  "Actually, that might not be so the case. Word from some of the refugees is that the bastard daughter of the former duke, half-sister to Eifer, has returned," Alderash told, causing the vampire to blink. "Despite having renounced her claims upon joining a monastery, she's apparently back and starting to bring some of the villages together under her control."

  "But Lilita has no claim anymore to the duchy with her vows!"

  "You know of her, brother?" Petula muttered under her breath.

  "Publicly, yes, but the church might decide otherwise. After all, should she happen to amass enough backing to take back the city and crown herself, the faith could decide to 'forgo' her vows in favor of having a true supporter of them in power." Gionre knitted his hands together. "It would not even be the first in recorded history."

  "No, it wouldn't be," Vio agreed. "And in the past, it has since resulted in the church gaining more power and say in the courts than normal. That is assuming, of course, she leads Viszal back to its former heights- and without a strong Duchy of Fuzier around to keep them in check, her rebounded house could end up the dominant power to contest our expansion."

  Gregori let out a half-sigh, half-groan at his sister's words. "And there has not yet been any similar emergence in Fuzier, has there?"

  "No, because the issue there are too many claimants. But I also wouldn't worry about her retaking Viszal anytime soon." Gionre traced a map with his finger against the table. "It is said to be now under the control of a powerful mercenary band, the Skald Takers. They took over the city in the chaos following and are now its undisputed rulers, apparently browbeating even the guard into their orders. Their intent, apparently, is to turn the city into a free haven for sellswords of all kinds."

  "Has their leader made any claim to nobility since?"

  "Not presently. In fact, they are apparently operating on some sort of 'first among equals' system." The orc clearly didn't think highly of it. "My unabashed opinion is 'first to wield the cleaver.'"

  They sound like a colorful lot. I suppose I'll ask Gunther later to see if he's ever heard of them. I didn't have much hope that they would be anywhere as professional or moralistic as the Eber Marauders given what I've heard though. Before I could think further on it, the servants approached and my thoughts instantly focused on the dessert they were serving, a smile hidden underneath my helmet.

  There had been one thing House Cordis did immediately agree for Puppet Atelier's involvement in this occasion, and that was a powerful demonstration of our new, exciting spice.

  "Dessert today is a product of collaboration with our new workshop," Gregori introduced as the plates were set down. "Please, if you would give it a try."

  "Cookies, huh?" Alderash mused, picking one up. "Oatmeal even. I'll admit, its a bit of a letdown compared to that tasty bread we had earlier-" His tongue promptly stopped flapping the moment one of the treat touched his lips and he froze, already tasting it. "No. No it can't be-"

  "It is," Gionre breathed when he bit in and chewed it. "Sugar. There's sugar in this!"

  "You seemed surprised," Teodor mentioned with a slight smirk. "But the best sweets are indeed sweet, are they not?"

  "B-but this is the western frontier! Sugarcane can't grow up here, so many have tried and failed!" exploded the merchant as he gobbled down another cookie. "How!"

  "For now, it's a secret between House Cordis and Puppet Atelier. But we are on track to produce notably quantities brown sugar as early as the end of summer next year."

  "So soon, again!" Alderash wheezed and tapped at the cookies before him. "This Puppet Atelier, they are quite something!"

  "There is actually a representative of the workshop with us now, if you're interested." Heads turned to face Kuch standing in the corner, the doll fully armored and hidden beneath their helmet. "Kuch here is a relay for them."

  "Oh? I had just thought them a bodyguard retainer of your house. That armor," Gionre considered, with an interested gaze while he snacked. "That's a very high quality piece. I take it's a work of Puppet Atelier- is it for sale?"

  "It is not," the armored figure flatly declared. "Neither are many products, or at least for direct purchase. If you wish to to purchase from the workshop, please direct all your inquiries to our patron. I'm simply here for procurement."

  "That I certainly will!" The elf merchant rose out from his seat and walked over, placing his hand over his chest. "But there is no reason that we couldn't at least become acquainted, is there? Please, may I at least be graced with your name and face?"

  "Call me Kuch. And I don't like to show my face," the doll coolly told, placing a hand over their visor for effect. "I was burned quite severely by a mighty beast, see, and am disfigured so."

  "A shame, but perhaps you might be interested in some salves then that my caravan has to offer? We plan on opening shop tomorrow, and would delight in your purchases."

  "I do plan on attending to see what I could buy. In the meantime," Kuch gestured back to the dining table. "Please enjoy the rest of your dessert. Sugar is to be enjoyed, is it not?"

  "Ah, yes truly. To think I could get such a sweet treat here in the west, instead of those famed imperial cones...my lords, I would love to discuss further price cuts in exchange for priority purchase rights to your sugar production, or if gold is more an important matter, a lump amount so to invest."

  "I'd also like to discuss purchasing some for myself and the officers of the Third Legion. It would be a good motivation for excellent service."

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