Daybreak:Volume 2 Chapter 11 - Revision history

Aorii at 11:42, 7 July 2021

2021-07-07T11:42:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:42, 7 July 2021
Line 36:		Line 36:

	Just like Emperor Geoffroi's war room table in the Oriflamme Palace, Pascal's father's --no, it was ''his'' map table now-- was enchanted to combine sculpted sand and projected illusions to create a three dimensional map. Currently, the table displayed the entire length of Weichsel as it stretched across the North Sea's southern coast. The scale was zoomed out far enough to show all of Weichsel's immediate neighbors: the Holy Imperium's border provinces loomed in the south, the Lotharin Estuary connected Cross Lake to the sea in the west. The east was dominated by the void of the Dead Mountains, leaving a narrow but important coastal trading corridor to the Grand Republic of Samara.		Just like Emperor Geoffroi's war room table in the Oriflamme Palace, Pascal's father's --no, it was ''his'' map table now-- was enchanted to combine sculpted sand and projected illusions to create a three dimensional map. Currently, the table displayed the entire length of Weichsel as it stretched across the North Sea's southern coast. The scale was zoomed out far enough to show all of Weichsel's immediate neighbors: the Holy Imperium's border provinces loomed in the south, the Lotharin Estuary connected Cross Lake to the sea in the west. The east was dominated by the void of the Dead Mountains, leaving a narrow but important coastal trading corridor to the Grand Republic of Samara.

	~~[[Image:Daybreak_on_Hyperion_Weichsel_Map.jpg\|thumb\|The Kingdom of Weichsel\|right]]~~

	In addition to landscape, borders, and settlements, the illusory map also displayed every sizable military force within two-hundred kilopaces of Weichsel's borders. Fourteen of the miniature infantry and cavalry figures carried the Black Dragon banner of Weichsel, either already assembled at Nordkreuz or marching westwards towards the city. Ten more held towering shields and purple standards -- the Holy Imperium's Legions which stood menacingly along the border. To the east was a single army of the Grand Republic, represented by an armored Samaran battlewagon instead of a soldier. Meanwhile troops of Rhin-Lotharingie's Belges region mobilized for war in the west, leaving the castles that guarded their borders with Weichsel seemingly abandoned as they'd been stripped down to skeleton garrisons too small to be represented.		In addition to landscape, borders, and settlements, the illusory map also displayed every sizable military force within two-hundred kilopaces of Weichsel's borders. Fourteen of the miniature infantry and cavalry figures carried the Black Dragon banner of Weichsel, either already assembled at Nordkreuz or marching westwards towards the city. Ten more held towering shields and purple standards -- the Holy Imperium's Legions which stood menacingly along the border. To the east was a single army of the Grand Republic, represented by an armored Samaran battlewagon instead of a soldier. Meanwhile troops of Rhin-Lotharingie's Belges region mobilized for war in the west, leaving the castles that guarded their borders with Weichsel seemingly abandoned as they'd been stripped down to skeleton garrisons too small to be represented.
Line 215:		Line 213:
	"Indeed," General Neithard agreed. "Skagen is no longer merely a peninsular and island nation. Their campaigns in the New World have established colonies that we know far too little about. We do not know what kind of reinforcements they may be able to summon from their newly acquired lands. Thirty years ago, the Skagen navy proved its might by completely destroying the Caliphate's 'New World Expedition' fleet. Worse yet, we still do not exactly know how they did it."		"Indeed," General Neithard agreed. "Skagen is no longer merely a peninsular and island nation. Their campaigns in the New World have established colonies that we know far too little about. We do not know what kind of reinforcements they may be able to summon from their newly acquired lands. Thirty years ago, the Skagen navy proved its might by completely destroying the Caliphate's 'New World Expedition' fleet. Worse yet, we still do not exactly know how they did it."

	The general's words sent a chill down Pascal's spine. To date, nobody truly ~~knows~~ how one of the largest armadas ever assembled had been destroyed without a trace. Not a single individual from the Caliphate's 'New World Expedition' ever returned to tell the tale. The only reason they knew it was Skagen's doing and not an 'act of god' was due to the frantic ''Farspeak'' messages sent back by the ships' officers -- when the fleet had encountered Skagen drake riders in the midst of a 'magical storm'.		The general's words sent a chill down Pascal's spine. To date, nobody truly knew how one of the largest armadas ever assembled had been destroyed without a trace. Not a single individual from the Caliphate's 'New World Expedition' ever returned to tell the tale. The only reason they knew it was Skagen's doing and not an 'act of god' was due to the frantic ''Farspeak'' messages sent back by the ships' officers -- when the fleet had encountered Skagen drake riders in the midst of a 'magical storm'.

	"You're correct. That is a concern," the King nodded apprehensively before he chuckled to himself. "Though we may at least rest easy in the fact that ships cannot grow legs to walk on land, at least not in significant enough numbers to alter the force balance."		"You're correct. That is a concern," the King nodded apprehensively before he chuckled to himself. "Though we may at least rest easy in the fact that ships cannot grow legs to walk on land, at least not in significant enough numbers to alter the force balance."

Aorii at 18:14, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T18:14:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:14, 10 April 2021
Line 37:		Line 37:
	Just like Emperor Geoffroi's war room table in the Oriflamme Palace, Pascal's father's --no, it was ''his'' map table now-- was enchanted to combine sculpted sand and projected illusions to create a three dimensional map. Currently, the table displayed the entire length of Weichsel as it stretched across the North Sea's southern coast. The scale was zoomed out far enough to show all of Weichsel's immediate neighbors: the Holy Imperium's border provinces loomed in the south, the Lotharin Estuary connected Cross Lake to the sea in the west. The east was dominated by the void of the Dead Mountains, leaving a narrow but important coastal trading corridor to the Grand Republic of Samara.		Just like Emperor Geoffroi's war room table in the Oriflamme Palace, Pascal's father's --no, it was ''his'' map table now-- was enchanted to combine sculpted sand and projected illusions to create a three dimensional map. Currently, the table displayed the entire length of Weichsel as it stretched across the North Sea's southern coast. The scale was zoomed out far enough to show all of Weichsel's immediate neighbors: the Holy Imperium's border provinces loomed in the south, the Lotharin Estuary connected Cross Lake to the sea in the west. The east was dominated by the void of the Dead Mountains, leaving a narrow but important coastal trading corridor to the Grand Republic of Samara.

	[[Image:Daybreak_on_Hyperion_Weichsel_Map.~~png~~\|thumb\|The Kingdom of Weichsel\|right]]		[[Image:Daybreak_on_Hyperion_Weichsel_Map.jpg\|thumb\|The Kingdom of Weichsel\|right]]

	In addition to landscape, borders, and settlements, the illusory map also displayed every sizable military force within two-hundred kilopaces of Weichsel's borders. Fourteen of the miniature infantry and cavalry figures carried the Black Dragon banner of Weichsel, either already assembled at Nordkreuz or marching westwards towards the city. Ten more held towering shields and purple standards -- the Holy Imperium's Legions which stood menacingly along the border. To the east was a single army of the Grand Republic, represented by an armored Samaran battlewagon instead of a soldier. Meanwhile troops of Rhin-Lotharingie's Belges region mobilized for war in the west, leaving the castles that guarded their borders with Weichsel seemingly abandoned as they'd been stripped down to skeleton garrisons too small to be represented.		In addition to landscape, borders, and settlements, the illusory map also displayed every sizable military force within two-hundred kilopaces of Weichsel's borders. Fourteen of the miniature infantry and cavalry figures carried the Black Dragon banner of Weichsel, either already assembled at Nordkreuz or marching westwards towards the city. Ten more held towering shields and purple standards -- the Holy Imperium's Legions which stood menacingly along the border. To the east was a single army of the Grand Republic, represented by an armored Samaran battlewagon instead of a soldier. Meanwhile troops of Rhin-Lotharingie's Belges region mobilized for war in the west, leaving the castles that guarded their borders with Weichsel seemingly abandoned as they'd been stripped down to skeleton garrisons too small to be represented.

Aorii at 18:13, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T18:13:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:13, 10 April 2021
Line 37:		Line 37:
	Just like Emperor Geoffroi's war room table in the Oriflamme Palace, Pascal's father's --no, it was ''his'' map table now-- was enchanted to combine sculpted sand and projected illusions to create a three dimensional map. Currently, the table displayed the entire length of Weichsel as it stretched across the North Sea's southern coast. The scale was zoomed out far enough to show all of Weichsel's immediate neighbors: the Holy Imperium's border provinces loomed in the south, the Lotharin Estuary connected Cross Lake to the sea in the west. The east was dominated by the void of the Dead Mountains, leaving a narrow but important coastal trading corridor to the Grand Republic of Samara.		Just like Emperor Geoffroi's war room table in the Oriflamme Palace, Pascal's father's --no, it was ''his'' map table now-- was enchanted to combine sculpted sand and projected illusions to create a three dimensional map. Currently, the table displayed the entire length of Weichsel as it stretched across the North Sea's southern coast. The scale was zoomed out far enough to show all of Weichsel's immediate neighbors: the Holy Imperium's border provinces loomed in the south, the Lotharin Estuary connected Cross Lake to the sea in the west. The east was dominated by the void of the Dead Mountains, leaving a narrow but important coastal trading corridor to the Grand Republic of Samara.

	[ ~~map~~ ]		[[Image:Daybreak_on_Hyperion_Weichsel_Map.png\|thumb\|The Kingdom of Weichsel\|right]]

	In addition to landscape, borders, and settlements, the illusory map also displayed every sizable military force within two-hundred kilopaces of Weichsel's borders. Fourteen of the miniature infantry and cavalry figures carried the Black Dragon banner of Weichsel, either already assembled at Nordkreuz or marching westwards towards the city. Ten more held towering shields and purple standards -- the Holy Imperium's Legions which stood menacingly along the border. To the east was a single army of the Grand Republic, represented by an armored Samaran battlewagon instead of a soldier. Meanwhile troops of Rhin-Lotharingie's Belges region mobilized for war in the west, leaving the castles that guarded their borders with Weichsel seemingly abandoned as they'd been stripped down to skeleton garrisons too small to be represented.		In addition to landscape, borders, and settlements, the illusory map also displayed every sizable military force within two-hundred kilopaces of Weichsel's borders. Fourteen of the miniature infantry and cavalry figures carried the Black Dragon banner of Weichsel, either already assembled at Nordkreuz or marching westwards towards the city. Ten more held towering shields and purple standards -- the Holy Imperium's Legions which stood menacingly along the border. To the east was a single army of the Grand Republic, represented by an armored Samaran battlewagon instead of a soldier. Meanwhile troops of Rhin-Lotharingie's Belges region mobilized for war in the west, leaving the castles that guarded their borders with Weichsel seemingly abandoned as they'd been stripped down to skeleton garrisons too small to be represented.

Aorii at 18:04, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T18:04:02Z

Show changes

Aorii at 23:57, 22 May 2015

2015-05-22T23:57:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:57, 22 May 2015
Line 119:		Line 119:
	"So... you haven't masturbated at all since I came here?"		"So... you haven't masturbated at all since I came here?"

	She actually felt really sorry for him. It was one of those common urges that she welcomed not having a ton of in her current body; not yet, at any rate. ~~Back in the other world, ''he'' had always felt bad after getting it out of the way. It supposedly had something to do with the decrease in testosterone levels... or was it the social stigma?~~		She actually felt really sorry for him. It was one of those common urges that she welcomed not having a ton of in her current body; not yet, at any rate.

	Pascal raised one eyebrow in mild surprise as he turned towards her:		Back in the other world, ''he'' had always felt bad after getting it out of the way. It supposedly had something to do with the decrease in testosterone levels... or was it the social stigma?

			Either way, Kaede suspected that as a subspecies, Samarans had far less of a sex drive than average humans. It would certainly explain their low population growth over the centuries, despite their innate healthcare and a policy of staying out of foreign wars. Furthermore, as devotees of the reincarnation cycle, abandoning pleasures of the flesh was a necessary step on the path to enlightenment.

			...Assuming their faith paralleled Earth equivalents anyway. Kaede had yet to confirm any details, since 'sacrilegious' evangelical writings were banned from Weichsel by the Heresy Laws.

			Meanwhile, Pascal raised one eyebrow in mild surprise as he turned towards her:

	"Sometimes I forget that you were male once also..." Then, with a faint smirk: "do you ''want'' me to do it while watching your cute little sleeping face? Or perhaps you would like to help? You do have the equipment now."		"Sometimes I forget that you were male once also..." Then, with a faint smirk: "do you ''want'' me to do it while watching your cute little sleeping face? Or perhaps you would like to help? You do have the equipment now."

Aorii at 09:50, 15 May 2015

2015-05-15T09:50:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:50, 15 May 2015
Line 53:		Line 53:
	Kaede groaned as she turned in the bedcovers, away from the rays of light pouring through the small window. That was the best she had slept all week, through the whole night no less. Why couldn't the sun be a little more understanding?		Kaede groaned as she turned in the bedcovers, away from the rays of light pouring through the small window. That was the best she had slept all week, through the whole night no less. Why couldn't the sun be a little more understanding?

	...~~Then~~ her small nose came across something smooth but firm -- certainly not a pillow.		Enveloped by a fuzzy warmth, she snuggled against the bed in a stubborn attempt to retain her happiness.

			...Except her small nose came across something smooth but firm -- certainly not a pillow.

	Her hand crept upwards under the covers, feeling the extra weight over her shoulder but ignoring it, until she found the surface of what seemed like a rough palm.		Her hand crept upwards under the covers, feeling the extra weight over her shoulder but ignoring it, until she found the surface of what seemed like a rough palm.
Line 59:		Line 61:
	''Huh--''		''Huh--''

	Kaede's eyes ~~finally opened~~. Sure enough, Pascal's left hand was right in front of her face, palm down and thumbnail just under her nose.		Kaede's eyes snapped open. Sure enough, Pascal's left hand was right in front of her face, palm down and thumbnail just under her nose.

	...Which meant the weight on her shoulders was the rest of his arm, and ~~the~~ warmth behind her...		...Which meant the weight on her shoulders was the rest of his arm, and that comforting warmth behind her...

	''Why did... you said you wouldn't touch me without asking!''		''Why did... you said you wouldn't touch me without asking!''
Line 83:		Line 85:
	"Wake up!" she cried out as soon as Pascal's golden soft curls came into sight.		"Wake up!" she cried out as soon as Pascal's golden soft curls came into sight.

	The lazy eyes that lifted were rather grumpy. Meanwhile Pascal flexed his left arm and shrugged its ~~shoulder joint~~ before focusing upon her.		The lazy eyes that lifted were rather grumpy. Meanwhile Pascal flexed his left arm and shrugged its stiff joints before focusing upon her.

	"What did I do to deserve abuse this early in the day?"		"What did I do to deserve abuse this early in the day?"
Line 131:		Line 133:
	"Only two years between us," came the matter-of-fact answer. "And if you were a boy once, you know exactly how our urges work."		"Only two years between us," came the matter-of-fact answer. "And if you were a boy once, you know exactly how our urges work."

	Kaede was thinking more of the twenty-~~four~~ centimeters (9") height difference between them and the fact she ''looked'' barely sixteen. Meanwhile Pascal was almost twenty and appeared even older with his mature expressions and ever-composed demeanor.		Kaede was thinking more of the twenty-eight centimeters (11") height difference between them and the fact she ''looked'' barely sixteen. Meanwhile Pascal was almost twenty and appeared even older with his mature expressions and ever-composed demeanor.

	''Thank heavens for his self-control though,'' she thought. Somewhat impressed even, if she was frank about it, since he had been sleeping with a girl in the same bed for weeks and never once touched her inappropriately.		''Thank heavens for his self-control though,'' she thought. Somewhat impressed even, if she was frank about it, since he had been sleeping with a girl in the same bed for weeks and never once touched her inappropriately.

Aorii at 07:32, 11 February 2015

2015-02-11T07:32:04Z

Aorii at 04:22, 13 October 2014

2014-10-13T04:22:06Z

Aorii at 19:21, 26 September 2014

2014-09-26T19:21:41Z

Aorii: Created page with "===Chapter 11 - Vacant Choice=== Pascal smiled stiffly at the mirror as he adjusted the Knight's Cross he wore below the collar, now set atop a four-pointed starburst in whit..."

2014-09-23T15:15:37Z

Created page with "===Chapter 11 - Vacant Choice=== Pascal smiled stiffly at the mirror as he adjusted the Knight's Cross he wore below the collar, now set atop a four-pointed starburst in whit..."

Show changes

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:32, 11 February 2015
Line 153:		Line 153:
	''Wouldn't be the first noble brat to force a maidservant down...''		''Wouldn't be the first noble brat to force a maidservant down...''

	"--He also taught me how to cast a ~~conception~~ spell around then, just so you know," his eyebrows shot up suggestively, "if you ~~were~~ ever felt the need badly enough."		"--He also taught me how to cast a contraception spell around then, just so you know," his eyebrows shot up suggestively, "if you ever felt the need badly enough."

	"Get-on-with-it before I hit you," Kaede retorted sharply while her cheeks continued to glow.		"Get-on-with-it before I hit you," Kaede retorted sharply while her cheeks continued to glow.
Line 173:		Line 173:
	"Most males my age also behave with hardly any more intelligence than beasts," Pascal commented without care. "If the defining goal of their youth is to lust after girls through a physical urge to mate, then how does that make them any better than animals in heat?"		"Most males my age also behave with hardly any more intelligence than beasts," Pascal commented without care. "If the defining goal of their youth is to lust after girls through a physical urge to mate, then how does that make them any better than animals in heat?"

	Kaede couldn't help but let off a half-snort chuckle. Even without an acidic intonation, his choice of words made his disdain clear. Yet at the same time... this was the man whose summoning spell had turned ~~Kaede~~ into a girl.		Kaede couldn't help but let off a half-snort chuckle. Even without an acidic intonation, his choice of words made his disdain clear. Yet at the same time... this was the man whose summoning spell had turned her into a girl.

	''News flash: hypocrisy still omnipresent as ever.''		''News flash: hypocrisy still omnipresent as ever.''
Line 250:		Line 250:


			...
	~~<nowiki>----- * * * -----</nowiki>~~



Line 259:		Line 257:
	"You've been doing nothing but paperwork, mapwork, and mouthwork the past few days. Stop staying in one place or you'll get fat."		"You've been doing nothing but paperwork, mapwork, and mouthwork the past few days. Stop staying in one place or you'll get fat."

	"Does ''Your Highness'' not have anything better to do than ~~pester~~ me first thing in the morning?" he grumbled aloud.		"Does ''Your Highness'' not have anything better to do than pestering me first thing in the morning?" he grumbled aloud.

	"I am neither in charge of this army nor working with the ministers in Alis Avern," the Princess noted the Rhin-Lotharingie Capital. "There's only so much for me to do while we are camped here. Besides, since you're my fiancé, it's part of your job to walk around with me and show the world how close we are."		"I am neither in charge of this army nor working with the ministers in Alis Avern," the Princess noted the Rhin-Lotharingie Capital. "There's only so much for me to do while we are camped here. Besides, since you're my fiancé, it's part of your job to walk around with me and show the world how close we are."
Line 281:		Line 279:
	"Yes," she nodded back as the trio stepped out of his cabin. "It's not as common as the other way around in my culture either, but it happens."		"Yes," she nodded back as the trio stepped out of his cabin. "It's not as common as the other way around in my culture either, but it happens."

	Under the clear winter skies, they began a casual stroll around the fortified encampment ~~that extended~~ right up to Nordkapp's shattered gate. The day was still early enough that most troopers not on duty were just starting to emerge from their cabins.		Under the clear winter skies, they began a casual stroll around the fortified encampment outside the city -- extending right up to Nordkapp's shattered gate. The day was still early enough that most troopers not on duty were just starting to emerge from their cabins.

	After all, 1st Echelon was still on rest and recuperation time after a week-long offensive and one bloody battle.		After all, 1st Echelon was still on rest and recuperation time after a week-long offensive and one bloody battle. Although they'd been strictly banned from entering the city without permission -- to keep any outbreak of violence from harming either side.

	"It's actually not that rare in our world, at least for the nobility," Sylviane commented neutrally from Pascal's other side, always sure to make eye contact when she spoke. "But when a lady is the initiator of the courtship, she tends to be very picky about the qualities of the man."		"It's actually not that rare in our world, at least for the nobility," Sylviane commented neutrally from Pascal's other side, always sure to make eye contact when she spoke. "But when a lady is the initiator of the courtship, she tends to be very picky about the qualities of the man."
Line 497:		Line 495:
	Kaede colored a little as she glanced away.		Kaede colored a little as she glanced away.

	"Yeah... pretty much," she exhaled out.		"Yeah... pretty much," she exhaled out.

	She had received enough stares of that particular variety during her few weeks at the Königsfeld Academy to last her a lifetime. But unfortunately for her, they hadn't ended there.		She had received enough stares of that particular variety during her few weeks at the Königsfeld Academy to last her a lifetime. But unfortunately for her, they hadn't ended there.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:22, 13 October 2014
Line 83:		Line 83:
	"Wake up!" she cried out as soon as Pascal's golden soft curls came into sight.		"Wake up!" she cried out as soon as Pascal's golden soft curls came into sight.

	The lazy eyes that lifted were rather grumpy. Meanwhile Pascal flexed his left arm and ~~shrugging~~ its shoulder joint before focusing upon her.		The lazy eyes that lifted were rather grumpy. Meanwhile Pascal flexed his left arm and shrugged its shoulder joint before focusing upon her.

	"What did I do to deserve abuse this early in the day?"		"What did I do to deserve abuse this early in the day?"
Line 95:		Line 95:
	"That doesn't--!" her incensed momentum carried on a bit further before deflating into the air like a runaway balloon. "...Oh..."		"That doesn't--!" her incensed momentum carried on a bit further before deflating into the air like a runaway balloon. "...Oh..."

	Kaede's cheeks ~~grew a shade darker~~ as her eyes shifted away towards the ceiling.		Kaede's cheeks were glowing red as her eyes shifted away towards the ceiling.

	''I didn't ask for that...''		''I didn't ask for that...''

	~~She managed to hold back her ungrateful thoughts. While it~~ was embarrassing to think about, it was ~~certainly~~ true that she slept unusually well last night.		It was so embarrassing to think about. But at the same time... it was true that she slept unusually well last night.

	''Nonono. I was just ''really'' darn tired. Nothing to do with...''		''Nonono. I was just ''really'' darn tired. Nothing to do with...''
Line 399:		Line 399:
	But if nothing else, the Runelord at least knew basic manners:		But if nothing else, the Runelord at least knew basic manners:

	"Sylviane, may I introduce Lady Ariadne Charlotte von Zimmer-Manteuffel, daughter to the Margrave of Saale-Holzland. She is General ~~Wiktor~~ von Manteuffel's second cousin, once removed."		"Sylviane, may I introduce Lady Ariadne Charlotte von Zimmer-Manteuffel, daughter to the Margrave of Saale-Holzland. She is General von Manteuffel's second cousin, once removed."

	"It is a pleasure to meet you," nodded the Princess. "I have heard many things about you, Milady, and I'm grateful for your help in keeping my fiancé alive."		"It is a pleasure to meet you," nodded the Princess. "I have heard many things about you, Milady, and I'm grateful for your help in keeping my fiancé alive."

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:21, 26 September 2014
Line 127:		Line 127:
	Kaede pulled up the bedcovers and buried her entire face under it this time, all the while retorting:		Kaede pulled up the bedcovers and buried her entire face under it this time, all the while retorting:

	"You pedophile! ~~total~~ pervert!"		"You pedophile! Total pervert!"

	"Only two years between us," came the matter-of-fact answer. "And if you were a boy once, you know exactly how our urges work."		"Only two years between us," came the matter-of-fact answer. "And if you were a boy once, you know exactly how our urges work."
Line 207:		Line 207:
	"We would have a problem if most people enjoyed war and blood," Pascal reasoned. "It is a duty and a obligation, as the Holy Father gave us our skills and backgrounds for a purpose. The commoners might fantasize about silly notions of individual freedom, but if everyone simply acted as they desired... where do you think our world would be?"		"We would have a problem if most people enjoyed war and blood," Pascal reasoned. "It is a duty and a obligation, as the Holy Father gave us our skills and backgrounds for a purpose. The commoners might fantasize about silly notions of individual freedom, but if everyone simply acted as they desired... where do you think our world would be?"

	Kaede ~~would~~ generally ~~agree to~~ that view. As someone who grew up in Trans-Ural Siberia and later Japan, she adhered to the socially conservative Eastern philosophy far more than its liberal, Western counterpart. The freedom of choice might have a nice ring that appealed to the masses, but 'duty' should always take the highest spot of consideration when assessing that 'choice'.		Kaede generally agreed with that view. As someone who grew up in Trans-Ural Siberia and later Japan, she adhered to the socially conservative Eastern philosophy far more than its liberal, Western counterpart. The freedom of choice might have a nice ring that appealed to the masses, but 'duty' should always take the highest spot of consideration when assessing that 'choice'.

	After all, every person had an obligation to protect their family, to uphold order in society, and to maintain the prosperity of the human race itself. Because without civil stability, the happiness of individuals ~~were mere illusions~~ that could vanish into thin air at any time.		After all, every person had an obligation to protect their family, to uphold order in society, and to maintain the prosperity of the human race itself. Because without civil stability, the happiness of individuals was merely an illusion, one that could vanish into thin air at any time.

	The Dissolution of the Soviet Union and its aftermath had taught all Russians a hard lesson. Western calls for freedom and reforms were cheap; the price paid -- when economies collapsed and paychecks vanished and families starved -- was often far too heavy.		The Dissolution of the Soviet Union and its aftermath had taught all Russians a hard lesson. Western calls for freedom and reforms were cheap; the price paid -- when economies collapsed and paychecks vanished and families starved -- was often far too heavy.
Line 265:		Line 265:
	She was correct enough that Pascal couldn't argue against it, so he simply stood against the mirror to fix his image.		She was correct enough that Pascal couldn't argue against it, so he simply stood against the mirror to fix his image.

	"One hour then," he declared. "I have new intelligence reports to dig through," Then, with a grin: "meanwhile, Kaede could amuse us with her experiences ~~in courtship~~ in the other world."		"One hour then," he declared. "I have new intelligence reports to dig through," Then, with a grin: "meanwhile, Kaede could amuse us with her courtship experiences in the other world."

	The familiar girl, who had been carefully eying the Princess while avoiding her gaze until now, suddenly turned towards Pascal with an outraged glare.		The familiar girl, who had been carefully eying the Princess while avoiding her gaze until now, suddenly turned towards Pascal with an outraged glare.
Line 285:		Line 285:
	After all, 1st Echelon was still on rest and recuperation time after a week-long offensive and one bloody battle.		After all, 1st Echelon was still on rest and recuperation time after a week-long offensive and one bloody battle.

	"It's actually not that rare in our world, at least for the nobility," Sylviane commented neutrally from Pascal's other side, always sure to make eye contact when she spoke. "But when a lady is the initiator of the courtship, she ~~tend~~ to be very picky about the qualities of the man."		"It's actually not that rare in our world, at least for the nobility," Sylviane commented neutrally from Pascal's other side, always sure to make eye contact when she spoke. "But when a lady is the initiator of the courtship, she tends to be very picky about the qualities of the man."

	Kaede's mouth felt dry as it formed a faint scowl. If Sylviane was trying to offer a mild compliment, it had the exact opposite effect.		Kaede's mouth felt dry as it formed a faint scowl. If Sylviane was trying to offer a mild compliment, it had the exact opposite effect.
Line 357:		Line 357:
	"It's beautiful!"		"It's beautiful!"

	Ariadne grinned proudly as Cecylia admired engagement ring on her finger. The size of the gem itself was quite modest, with her birthstone -- a sapphire -- held inside a magically grown diamond. The two tiny pegasus wings in platinum that hovered around the centerpiece had also been intricately detailed, not to mention the layers of protective enchantments...		Ariadne grinned proudly as Cecylia admired the engagement ring on her finger. The size of the gem itself was quite modest, with her birthstone -- a sapphire -- held inside a magically grown diamond. The two tiny pegasus wings in platinum that hovered around the centerpiece had also been intricately detailed, not to mention the layers of protective enchantments...

	"I'm a bit surprised he proposed now, though -- middle of a campaign and all," the dhampir girl wondered aloud.		"I'm a bit surprised he proposed now, though -- middle of a campaign and all," the dhampir girl wondered aloud.