23. Pacifying international relations

O - Thank you for joining this fourth assembly of the seven sages.

C - Seven wise sages.

D - We’ll do our best to live up to that. So Felicia, what was the next part to discuss? Pacifying international relationships?

F - Yes. But first, lady Siline, any update from the criminality reduction testing?

S - It worked... A little too well... As soon as the other actions kick in, we can expect to easily reduce everything sex-related with a few well-placed Robots. They can even root out the networks that carry them around, so there’s no escape. And they can... Well, make even the most sex crazed lunatics become abstinent... the Radiant Firebond has been developing drugs to help with it. They work so well I think we should not sell them.

RS0003 - Happy to serve!

J - I’ll work on perfecting the aphrodisiacs potions and spells on the side.

F - Ah good... We... expected no less from you... lot... Ehm... We can continue this program on its experimental and occasional basis for now, and we’ll have you ready to go full scale when the economics program will also kick in. So... next are pacifying international diplomacy, and insuring us support for the future societal changes we want to bring. And since we don’t have a country, nor wish to conquer one to back our requests and changes, there are two ways to play it. Either we start the changes we want to see in the domains we have nobility upon. And over time we help them spread and seduce other lords and nobility...

A - But there’s a fair way other lords won’t see novel ideas with welcome arms... It would be slow and uncertain... How can we change things from the top but peacefully?

The United Nations was still a rather weak institution with low authority over the countries. But at least it would help us reach out to them on diplomatic grounds...

But that wasn't enough a buy in. Especially with kingdoms seeking to keep their autonomy against imperialistic institutions.

F - To put it in a nutshell, I think our best bet is having royal weddings. Now that we know what the Robot-Silvia can achieve, we can use it to our advantage. We can wed lady Siline, or lady Silvia, as many times as we need to in different countries, and have her influence reach the higher level of nobility and power.

A - But not to overthrow the governments, right?

S - Yeah. They will be ordered to remain helpful golems to their spouses, and never try to take over or threaten anyone. But they will be there to suggest our ideas to the higher powers we can reach, and act as our ambassadors.

O - So you want to marry lady Siline to as many noble people that would be willing to do so? But... They will know something is off rapidly.

C - True, there’ll be no way around telling the truth, or giving a plausible explanation really.

F - We don’t have a country to back us entirely, but we have our heroic reputation, that will open us many doors. And since the Robot-Silvia are able to assist and... relieve... people in all sorts of ways, they can always be helpful and hereto seen as merely diplomatic gifts. Even as mere butler or advisor, they will help both the court, the governments where they are, and us indirectly.

D - Only one way to know for sure... Find a court where two Robot-Silvias could be given at the same time, give the explanation and see if the deal can be done to start forging the alliances.

S - Well, there are a few obvious ones to start with...

F - I know a prince or two whom would be delighted to meet you at last miss Siline...

~

Princess Märthina from the kingdom of Norway. She had tried to befriend me, and then tried to control Trinity. She had two brothers. They all knew of us quite well by then.

A meeting was rapidly organised in the royal palace. In the presence of the two princes, at the sages request. Our nickname was taking...

King Olav IX was overly eager to comply.

And the ceremony was met with lady Opgaendsol, lady Felicia, and their ladies in waiting...

Which revealed themselves to be perfect copies of the previous two!

Both princes met a lady Silvia in ceremonial gown, but were seeing double. And so was Felicia.

King Olav IX - There were two of you?

RS0002 - Well, it’s actually a blessing from God. Now that the threat of invasion is passed, he would like to bring more harmony between the nations and the people. For that purpose, he brought more angels onto the land. We’re just as wise, since we were modelled after lady Silvia. We can replace her in any way or form. Actually, we’ve been doing so at her request every time she wanted to escape the celebrity and nobility of her condition. So in a way, we are even more noble and dutiful than the real lady Sivia. And we will obey our vows without failing for our entire life. We're here to see if we could bind our families in the best or alliances.

That was a little shocking, so whispers could be heard around the courtroom. The king held his breath. He probably knew what it really meant.

More honourable and wise than the real lady Silvia? A perfect being with all her qualities and none of her faults? He threw me an amused glance. That felt oddly insulting!

King Olav IX - Xadalbert, you will marry her.

X - Y... Yes!

RS0003 - My sister angel here will hereby replace at all times our original lady Silvia, as countess Opgaendsol. Albeit I also am just a modest double for lady Felicia, I’ve also been sent as an ambassador for the same purpose as the new ‘’lady Siline’’. Please make any use of me for any purpose you would see fit. I can become an advisor, an intendant, marshal, court magician, concubine or...

King Olav IX - Vincent, son?

V - Err. Lady Angel Felicia... I would like to offer you my hand in marriage, would you kindly?

RS0003 - I would be honoured, and will devote my life for your happiness my dear fiancé.

The chancellor and nobles in attendance were openly flabbergasted. Did they hear everything right? These ladies claimed they were copies, fraudsters, but the king obliged them into marrying the two crown princes right away?

The king knew. What I could be, really be.

And he understood very well what political message I had just really handed out to him.

S - I will remain free by any mean, but I will grant you your wish to have ‘’me’’, and my dear friend. They are as powerful as we are though, don’t misunderstand us. It’s a great gift and partnership.

F - Same for me. But we are happy we can come to this happy agreement with you wise king!

Had I been a queen from another country, it came as offering two of my daughters' hands to him. It was a diplomatic relation offering, to build an alliance and relation beyond his imagination. The real lady Siline had no land, almost, nor subjects to rule over, but she had power. Incalculable, unattainable power. And I just offered some of it.

The king knew it was the strongest alliance imaginable, even if it could not be drawn on a map.

There was no discussing it.

Their kingdom could from the double wedding onward be considered invincible, protected in peace, and its dynasty insured a future of prosperity.

That was almost too good to be true... But he had to seize the opportunity.

Little did he know, yet, that similar offerings were done at the same time in every kingdom capital.

By the time the weddings would be announced, every willing royal dynasty in the world would be welcoming a few heroic duplicates into their family or ministries. Republics were harder to reach on that manner, but we could approach their figures of power similarly. Helpful ambassadors of the seven sages, and a direct slither of the nanites system willing to talk. I was giving a voice to the local groups of nanites as well and they enjoyed it.

~

S - That went easier than expected... Even for you as you suggested.

F - It pains me to say it, but we reap what we sow...

S - Why do you think princess Märthina was gawking like that at us? She didn’t say anything.

F - I think she was speechless from the surprise at what we can do... But I’m sure she will contact us soon to request a meeting or more.

~

Princes would spouse right away copies of lady Silvia by default, or another of the wise sages if a profile was more suited for the position. And a handful more were opening peaceful embassies in every other capital welcoming us.

The “nation without land” of the sages was opening marital diplomatic relationships at maximum output. And with great success right from the start in three different kingdoms we came from. Next would be for Aster in Denmark, to ease her decision on the king and her father.

The other republics and the European Union's falling empire would require a little more subtle work to forge an earnest and honest alliance.

All what was left to do, for this phase of the plan, was to build a place that could receive the embassies from every country, that would soon begin to look for it.

The old United Nations had been without headquarters for a while, and this supranational institution was also part of our ground work.

We wanted to build a new UN with our powers eventually.

Since all the Robot-Silvias were honest about the fact they were acting as ambassadors for us, and the system too though that was more abstract.

Us sages began to consider where to build our new united nations capital city.

~

But before that, the plan that was initiated by and for Aster was changed, given the good result of the first tests.

Aster wasn’t showing much of her pregnancy just yet, however, she was able to present a Robot-Silvia with her exact appearance, and even longer more lady-like hair, to both her parents and the royal court of Denmark. A robot-Aster so to speak of.

A - Although it doesn’t show yet, I’m not allowed to accept the wedding offer, for I am waiting child your majesty, and dear father...

R - What! WHO!

A - Eh... Putting that aside for now, I can however offer you the hand of this lady angel, that is my exact copy in every quality, but not in my flaws. She was granted to me by the power of the machine god, as a manner of thanks for my deeds, and a way to atone for my sin before you.

RS0005 - I would be honoured to serve you my king, and to replace lady Aster in anyway sort and form, should you wish to accept it. I am bound to my oath and duties. I’m ready to take her name and place in society should you allow it. I have her memories.

The Robot did cute curtsies. It looked like Aster, in far more refined and lady-like. Impressive work nanites!

Aster’s father was red in shame and anger at this joke, but the king was pondering it.

I don’t think they’re ready to hear who’s the father of the child...

King Albert VII - Lord Ronald von Murgarden, what do you think of these foolish ideas your daughter brings to us?

R - ...

RS0005 - Wait! It’s not our father’s fault if lady Aster chose to marry in secret and have a child! Allow me to prove our worth in duel! If I defeat her, I will be worthy of her reputation.

A - What?

King Albert VII - What nonsense is this...

The Aster doppelganger was suddenly drawing sword against Aster to defend their honour and prove her might! Too true to life nanites!

S - She really does look like you...

A - I’m acting like that?!

R - Stop that! I’ll be the one facing you Aster. And when I win, this shameful foolishness will have to stop! This won’t fly another time!

A - I will fight for my freedom if I have to father...

S - And I will step back and cheer you up. Go Aster! Shine!

Aster blushed. But now three insane people were drawing swords at each other in front of the king.

King Albert VII- Ok this makes no sense but I’ll allow it. The three of you can fight, I’ll allow to listen to the foolish request of the one who prevails.

It seems he didn’t care anymore and was holding his laughter? The count was more ashamed than ever.

Robot-Silvia - Aster model, jumped at her despite her frilly dress and high heel shoes. Aster blocked the powerful strike with her left arm as a shield, throwing her back in the distance of the wide reception room. The Robot landed with great grace despite her long flight and loop. She was graceful alright, impressively so.

Aster’s father crossed swords with her with a more masculine elegance, and more brutish sportsmanship, but Aster had also become a powerful wizard unbeknownst to him.

A - Witness the brilliance of my love!

R - What?!

S - Goodness...

And Aster sent a storm of air blades, like a growing wall, at her father. A powerful magic born from sword but only made possible by a powerful mage. He endured it rather well, although his sword got chipped on multiple points.

The king was enjoying the show very much I could see. He was grinning with all his teeth in amusement at seeing the too serious lord von Murgarden making a fool of himself. That king was a bit evil with his so loyal count.

Robot-Aster came back into the three sided-duel with a vengeance, but keeping her due elegance. Her attack spells were simpler, but keeping both her opponents on their toes nonetheless.

Aster had a moment of unexpected bliss while fighting alongside her father, even if it couldn’t last in this situation. Oh the irony. But there was an impromptu shares smile.

The Robot managed to avoid any damage to her dress by stepping back in good time.

Aster and her father finished their duel, with Aster chopping in half her father’s sword.

He surrendered, shocked.

But between the doppelganger and Aster, it was a little weirder.

S - Ey nanites, what is this Robot thinking?

N - She’s simulating lady Aster’s behaviour to perfection. Isn’t she?

S - Eh...

Aster twirled, and with unexpected strength, managed to knock the doppelganger’s sword out of her hands.

RS0005 - I’ll be Aster von Murgarden from now on!

A - Yes! But no!

The king clapped his hands to put an end to the duel that was rising the insanity level for everyone witnessing it.

King Albert VII - That’s enough. There can be only one lady Aster here. Is it the one who is eager to marry my son, or the one who is insulting everyone here?

Aster swallowed her pride and pain and lowered her head. It didn’t go as planned, but to some extent, the honour of her family will be repaired by the Robot, and she would be free.

The Robot seemed proud, which felt weird to em and Aster. We were soon shown the exit.

~

On our way out, I was holding Aster’s hand and handing her a handkerchief to wipe her tears. She was crying heavily.

S - I’m sorry...

A - It’s not your fault... Hic...

S - Now that I think about it, had we waited just a little instead of rushing into things, we might have been able to reach that point without getting you pregnant...

A - Do you... regret it?

S - No, I don’t. It still surprises me, but for me, it had to be you. You’re my sweet Aster for ever now, no matter what comes. I’m happy to share all this and a child with you.

A - Thank you...

I kissed her, and promised her she’ll be sharing laughs with her brothers again soon enough.

And if I were to fail... It would have to be with us living together, for the rest of our lives.

I love you.

~

The kingdoms that didn’t directly knew of Silvia prior to the war revelation in the great invasion couldn’t simply marry my copies into nobility or royalty. I was a hero to another country. The African unions welcomes a few ambassadors but we weren't going to wed into power there anytime soon.

Since the sages goal was not to brute force submission into the future alliance, we worked differently.

Power comes in different forms, and seduction too.

And there was another kingdom where a Robot-Aster was a better choice than me in Europe.

Aster had left for another epic quest of similar scope.

Around that time, it was said that her look alike was soon to be married to the prince of Denmark and keeping the Murgarden name.

The prince had found his knight consort, and would never, ever, abandon her either. No one would leave a sweetheart like her beside, even if it was a local group of nanites playing that game.

For another country facing ruin with a princess in exile not so long ago, it was a paladin that brought a peaceful resolution.

Lady Aster, in company of Orea and Dominika, met Princess Louise of Netherlands in her throne room.

Since the restauration had been done, Orea and Dominika themselves supported the new government in re-establishing its authority and prosperity for a while.

They were sages welcomed to restart the economy, but Aster was invited by the princess one more time for less economic matters.

They would seal our alliance over a good glass of wine.

~