The Royal Address

Genie released a wave of his magic when they alighted within a small and private oval flower bush garden. The air behind them snapped and sparkled before it cleared.

Kairo was surprised to see small tabby cats of the tuxedo breed or orange and white calico types tending to the garden. Genie explained they were malkin sekkat priests who worshiped the Goddess Musrami—6th god of magic for terra mages. The garden was a homage to her. It reminded Kairo of the cat in the basket he had seen on his way to work.

As they were making their way out of the gardens, they saw Aldrick-pasha approaching with a squad of guards.

"Make sure all entrances are secured and workers are cleared." He cast a suspicious eye at the sekkat priests as he walked past them.

"Genie-bey, Kairo-wizard." He bowed before them.

"I've closed this teleport soft point." Genie formally declared.

"Appreciated. With Manfred-nun's attendance, I'm triple-tightening security."

"I'll let you continue."

They let the man continue his duty. Kairo followed Genie into an enormous hall. High, white marble columns formed a straight aisle to a massive gold and white marble double door. The royal crescent moon and crown emblem was aesthetically embossed on the doors or as stone reliefs on the walls. Wealthy people in vibrant sari dresses, robes, or mage and warrior armor, filled the space. Some wore sashes of rich blue bearing the royal emblem and a smaller one for their house.

Leela watched Kairo from afar as she mingled with nobles.

"Is that him?" A noble woman whispered to Leela.

"Yeah, that's the alien."

"Looks like trouble."

"He is. Word has it, he's after the scroll," Leela whispered her tidbit of gossip with the noble woman who was all ears to hear it.

"That would be bad if the alien got it." The noble woman didn't hide her concerns and disgust for this scenario.

"It would be." Leela agreed and excused herself to spread the gossip again to another noble supporter for her mother.

Meanwhile, Jan had pulled Kairo and Genie aside in a private corner for a briefing.

"Kairo, an important royal is about to visit the court. He is not a fan of the Demon King." He discreetly advised.

"Is he here to show support for our demon prince?"

"I doubt it. If anything, he's likely here to test our demon prince's strengths and limits."

Genie gave Kairo a backstory for the visiting royal. He was a vassal king named Prince Yanmu Manfred. The Demon King conquered his country Etshian and turned it into a vassal kingdom before he was of age. Yanmu lost his right to being a king so could only retain his prince title. He was given vassal liberties to rule with a lot of caveats.

"He does rule his kingdom?" Kairo carefully asked.

"In name only. The payoff is a comfortable life with anything trivial that he wants, provided he pays due to the king. Naturally, an insult to his being. Now is a good time for him to try and test our gracious lord's limits through you." Jan formally commented.

"Me? I don't understand."

"You are an otherworld wizard. But are you an alien trinket or a weapon for the war? Likely what he's thinking. He's here to poke." Genie offhandedly added.

Jan suspected the prince would demand a demonstration of Kairo's power. If the demonstration proved nothing more than a party trick, he would inform this as a weakness to the Demon King. However, if the magic hinted toward being a weapon, he would demand more military aid toward the civil war efforts. Etshian shared borders with Misculanious and the Lucasyna capital. Its armies maintained the balance of the prince and king's forces.

"How would he see my lack of power as a weakness?"

"Keeping an alien as a trophy would be spun as a gross lack of concern for the continent's security. It would give nobles motivation toward the Demon King's cause," Jan answered.

"The response would be accelerated military operations on the frontline; all-out war. With my brother's resources, we can't win as we are right now." Genie soberly added.

"But war is happening?"

"Yes and no. Right now, we're in a parley stage. It's more or less a breather to gather resources."

Kairo chewed his lip, not entirely understanding but could tell they were a rock in a hard place. "So what'd I do?"

"If you're called to fight, demand an Honor Battle to Kretos. Use your weapon but no magic." Jan informed him.

Kairo frowned, he didn't like the sound of being a decider for war. Nevertheless, he was the outsider to their world. All he could do was trust their advice. Anyway, he had faced the worst ways to die and survived so far.

A thought occurred to him, "If only demonstrating physical strength, wouldn't that be seen as weakness?"

"Not if you win a combat in homage to our god who's the Crown God Kretos. It's a show of strength but not one of threat."

Genie's expression eased into a gentle smile. He patted his shoulder. "It'll be fine."

"Right and the next day I'm a salad item for mothervines." Kairo bitterly thought, but brushed it off. Decisions were made. He nodded.

Gongs were struck, drawing everyone to silence. People moved to the sides of the columns, ensuring a cleared path to the double doors.

A crier announced Prince Yanmu Manfred's full title with grandiose flare. People bowed with respects as if he was the Demon King himself. Kairo followed suit, watching the handsome prince, elegantly dressed in purple and gold trimmed robes, glide through the room with an entourage of masked soldiers in black armor at his back. The doors parted to allow him entry. The audience foyer was a buzz of whispers and sighs of relief when the doors had closed.

Kairo frowned and whispered his question to Genie. "I noticed he wasn't announced as a demon prince."

Genie patted his head. "Having the Demon Prince title, I guess, would be the same as the Crown Prince in your world. Manfred-nun never passed the Demon Heir trials as my brother, so he couldn't receive the honors."

"You're not a demon prince?"

Genie frowned and flicked Kairo's forehead, frivolously brushing off the question. "Titles are for stuffy people who just want to play politics. I'm more than happy being just Genie."

"I think he plays politics just fine." Kairo thought to himself and added, "Although, Demon Prince Genie sounds nice."

Another announcement was made to all in the audience hall. Sure enough, it was news about the derby event, which ignited a feverish din of excitement and tension among the nobles. Then a crier called for Kairo's audience to the throne room.

"Here goes."

The audience was hushed again as they watched Kairo walk down the red carpet aisle with Jan and Genie a step ahead of him.

"To restart a war or not to? Damn if I'd be the red button to this question." Kairo thought as he boldly entered the throne room.