dragonofthelake | open post

It's possible they didn't know the severity of how much they were supported by the southern half of the original empire. However even if they did know, I have reason to suspect the break wasn't entirely their own idea. I found a book suggesting that the people who made me what I am assisted in fracturing Fodlan. Mentions of mysterious weapons and strange mages in the book. The Church sanctioned the split of the Holy Kingdom which I believe was a strategic move. The desperate will turn to religion if they fail to support themselves, and they had been needing a much more faithful base because of Adrestia slowly growing distant from them.

[The questions are appreciated. It helps keep her distracted during the process so she isn't as tense. It keeps her blood pressure and heart rate even.]

The weak are easily exploited.

[ They can agree on that much. Torn from their motherland, left desolate and without the ability to fend for themselves, Sherry can imagine how that group of people would be easily controlled.

Except, it doesn't seem like their faith is being rewarded. ]

Is the church helping them at all?

Not as far as I can tell. Rhea revealing herself as a dragon over five years ago... you'd think she would have known of an agricultural invention to help Faerghus through its harsh winters. But, if desperate people cling to religion I doubt she'd give up such powerful shackle.

[But she's no longer in power anymore, and Edelgard's restoration efforts have included sending plenty of provisions through the trade routes.]

Even religion has to offer something, even if it's a lot less than they take. If they're getting nothing, why not turn to something else?

[ His focus goes to the machine for a bit. ]

The church in my world hides under the illusion of being helpful.

Well, I suppose the local churches are known for their charity offerings. Some offer aid to the homeless and orphaned. However as far as the Central Church goes... all they truly have to offer is a place of schooling for the nobility. Which was originally created to prepare privileged young people for fighting off "outsiders" since the church doesn't allow us to officially conduct peace-talks with our neighboring nations.

[But as far as helping the desperate, though? The Central Church offers little and interferes much.]

Do the nobility give in turn?

[ Sherry doesn't bother hiding the doubt in his voice, but if there really is no benefit, he's surprised the church has stayed in power so long. Even if they played nice, it would be nothing more than a smokescreen, but to think they didn't even bother with that much... ]

The purpose of the nobility used to be to use their strength and knowledge to protect and help the less fortunate prosper. However whether it started that way and became corrupted, or was always a sham, is unclear. With much of our history unpreserved one can not make a solid conclusion.

I can't imagine it being that different from my own. It was probably always a lie.

[ His eyes stay on the screen. ]

Describe what your ability feels like. What parts of your body feel it first? Strongest?

It feels like... warmth. Fire. It seems to activate in my chest, but most prominently it's felt where it heals me. Like my flesh burns where it knits back together.

[It is called The Crest of Flames after all. And the "goddess of time" was supposed to bring about the "New Dawn". Both purifying and life-giving.]

Does it actually burn?

[ If there's a literal fire, Sherry will have to take note of that. ]

Not unless I purposefully use fire magic.

[Though sometimes her mood can influence flames around her. Too much excitement near a stove can be bad.]

I wonder how much of it is related to an actual fire.

[ That's Red's domain, but it's not like there's no documentation on it. If all else fails, it's not like the dragons don't communicate. ]

It might be burning low enough that you don't feel it, but if it burns consistently enough, it's still too much for somebody with a body that was originally human.

How funny that the power of the goddess I reject is what's killing me.

Was killing you. I don't plan on failing here. Suppression is a lot easier than elimination. That's especially true if it's related to fire. As a Blue, water is my specialty.

Will be killing me, until you show results.

[But she wouldn't be here if she didn't think he had a shot at it. She wants to be confident in him, but Edelgard has to temper her expectations less every dead end breaks her.]

You don't expect it to kill you soon unless you're going to finish your mission tomorrow.

[ His answer sounds distracted, but he's listening to her as well. ]

Even if I can't perfect it right away, I can get something to dampen it much sooner.

I suppose I am being quite difficult. I've learned to keep my expectations low.

[She'd rather be impressed than disappointed.]

You don't have a lot of reason to believe in me. A telescope is different than this. But I've seen my work so I can have confidence in it. You'll believe me after you reason to.

...Is there anything else you need of me, or would you prefer I not peruse your home while you work?

I did promise you food. Help yourself to the kitchen. As long as you stay out of the bedroom, I don't mind if you explore.

[ There aren't a lot of personal items outside of the bedroom. ]

Very well, I will see you after.

[She will go exploring then. At first the kitchen where she'll try to get a drink and a snack. If there are tea leaves she'll be eager to brew something, but if there are no instructions for what the specific blend of leaves require she'll leave it alone. She'd rather not burn or over-steep someone else's fine tea.

Following that she'll attempt to find anything like a library. Even if it's just a book case. Edelgard's curious and knowledge-hungry mind will lead her to try and consume anything unfamiliar.]

[ There are no instructions; Sherry doesn't make complicated tea. He buys complicated tea. Ingredients are rare, but she can find sweets — a cake, some tarts — and some premade, high-class sandwiches.

Sherry eats out a lot.

There's also an entire library, complete with a table and comfortable coach. Most books focus on magical research and a breakdown of the different races. If she bothers to open them, they're pages full of complex formulas and drawings of different shapes.

There are a few fictional books. Mostly about dragons. While it may seem egotistical, Sherry is just often curious. ]

[As far as the food goes she's glad it's premade. She has no cooking skills of her own. After consuming a light snack and something to drink, Edelgard will settle herself in a chair with a few books. She'll try focusing on any non-fiction books on Dragons. She wants to learn more about Sherry and the differences in which this world sees them in comparison to her own. If there is a lack of informational literature on his race, she will then resort to the fictional books.

Edelgard will stay in the library until he comes to find her. This will help her abstain from being nosy.]

[ She's allowed quite some time before he comes looking for her. His focus has been on assuring he has enough blood for analysis so she doesn't have to make frequent trips for more studies. Based on the scarring, she's been through enough. ]

You're a reader?

[ Sherry greets her with a question as he removes the glasses that helped with his magical analysis. ]

An ignorant leader is an incompetent one. I must avail myself of what I can in order to best serve my people. But I suppose I'm also naturally curious.

[She likes to learn. Knowledge is power, and for someone who was taken advantage of when she was young without any power of her own... it's liberating.]

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