Reincarnated as a random race, of course I got goblin.

Chapter 106 - The Trouble with Politics

Peach is still happily riding on my back. Somehow, her Avatar differs from Yggdrasil's, as she's able to go much further from the trunk of her physical body than her 'mother'. 

*Analysis of entity reveals a mostly physical form composed of flower petals made animate by its inherent mastery of Plant Magic. Yggdrasil's form is, instead, akin to an illusion. Estimating the range of Peach's movements to be around the area the roots of her true form covers.*

Hm, I wonder why they have such different methods of creating an Avatar. I hope Yggdrasil might be able to learn Peach's method... 

We arrive at the throne room. It hasn't changed much, but there's an uncomfortable aura coming from beneath the throne, but I can't sense the origin. It's as if something cursed had been laying there for a long time and suffused the air around it with its bad vibes but then it was moved yet the vibes remained.

I shake off the uneasiness, focusing instead on a very happy Argos Eye that divebombs me once it spots me. After rubbing its leathery 'face' all over my cheek in a sort of hug, it then settles onto Actvi's head, much to his chagrin. 

"They like you." I smile as I'm being assaulted by Peach, who, having seen what the Argos Eye did, also wants nuzzles. 

"Well... I can't say the feeling is mutual. I'm meant to be imposing, I'm protecting His Highness after all. Having a small eyeball-monster nestled on my head isn't exactly making my job easier." Actvi shrugs. I can tell there's a hesitance in his words, though. 

"Anyway, Millibelle, let's get to discussing the finer points of the upcoming... event." King Dervix gestures towards the seating area of the room. Various papers lay atop a table surrounded by four cushioned chairs. I switch into my humanoid form before taking a seat. 

"You look... quite noble in that. Is it Octopus Cloth?" Dervix seems nervous. I'm unsure if it's due to what happened last time I was here, or the fact that the leaders of four of the major nations on the continent are about to meet for the first time in over fifty years. 

"It is. I have a few spare, if you desire?" There's a glint of desire in his eyes, but it's snuffed quickly as he shakes his head. 

"If anything, they might do nicely as gifts for the others. Not that you'd be expected to bring gifts." Actvi suggests. I-Is that a tradition?

*When two nations meet, it is custom for both of them to bring one or more gifts to give to each other. The nation hosting the meeting is expected to offer a gift greater in value than the one offered by the others. As a sign of good will towards a nation, the visitor nation would bring a gift of local produce, but of otherwise low value, as to not appear greedy for a grand gift of big value in return.*

So, we know to expect resistance if any one of the others bring very valuable gifts. Dervix coughs politely, snapping me out of it. 

"Now, I know you might be tired from the trip, but please focus for just a while longer. As I was saying, I hope you can help with security." His tone is not condescending, but I can sense some annoyance at me.

"Well, since I'm going to be there for the meeting itself, no-one would be dumb enough to mount an attack at that time, right?" I think I know what he's hinting at though. 

"Yes, anyone with ill will towards any of our four nations would be foolish to try an all out attack, it's the time before and after the meeting I worry about, particularly in regards to the Harmekian delegation." Worry is evident in Dervix' face, even more now that the topic of the Harmekians is brought up. 

"I'm not too worried about the other two nations. Prime Minister Kalim is well liked and popular with Eyslef and Parshura, though there's been some tensions with Harmek due to the war between us and Harmek. Yo'ud as a nation is also dependent on trade with us to obtain certain necessities that are hard to come by in the arid climate." Dervix explains.