The Summit of the Heirs
The Summit of the Heirs
"The Arman Empire"
The Arman Empire was the mightiest nation on the continent — the land where dwelt the descendant of the Porter who had once traveled at the side of the six Heroes.
That descendant of the Porter, Sion Hyurad, was at this very moment in his mansion, making ready for the journey to the Arceus Kingdom.
"Honey, word has come from the imperial court. They say that for this Summit, the Empress herself will attend in your place. What do you intend to do?"
"There is nothing to be done... The kingdom alone boasts four heirs to the Heroes, while I am, in the end, merely the Porter's descendant — small wonder the court has grown restless. This time, I shall travel together with the Empress."
"Yes... if that is your wish..."
His wife, Sioban Hyurad, was none too pleased about it. She did not care for being left behind while her husband went off at the Empress's side.
By the dying wish of their ancestor, Herad Hyurad, the Hyurad family had long raised its sons to the seat of family head. And so Sioban, wed into the household as a daughter-in-law by proxy, held no voice in such matters whatsoever.
Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, the Empress was deep in council with her ministers.
"For this Summit of the Heirs, I have resolved to attend in person — not Sion Hyurad. Any who object, speak now and be heard."
"Your Majesty, your humble servant begs a word. The Summit exists, by its very definition, as a gathering for fellowship among the descendants of the six Heroes. Should Your Majesty grace such an occasion with her presence, I fear it would breed resentment. I am deeply troubled by the prospect."
"Lord Chapri, your counsel is well received. Then let me put the question to you in turn: if the Empire and the Kingdom were to go to war, which side do you believe would prevail?"
At the Empress's question, not a single soul in the chamber could answer.
"In my judgment, it is our Empire that would lose. And the reason for it — you ministers know all too well..."
In population, resources, and territory, the Empire outstripped the Kingdom three times over — yet it had no descendants of the Heroes to call its own. That was precisely why the Empress meant to go in person and forge those ties herself.
"It seems there are no further objections. Then I, Jaina Arman, shall go to the Arceus Kingdom myself."
And so the Arman Empire's delegation to the Summit was decided.
Heaven's Garden, the land of the elves — there, too, the question of who would attend the Summit was being weighed.
"Any elder who wishes to attend this Summit, please raise your hand."
All ten elders raised their hands.
"Haah... what a headache. Why must every one of you be so eager to go...? In any case, I can only choose a single elder to accompany me. Otherwise — who knows — I might end up traveling with my mother again!"
At her words, the elders turned solemn. But in the midst of their earnest debate, the doors of the chamber swung open, and a woman swept in.
"Choosing who attends the Summit without your own mother? Jia, must you really wound her so?"
Her name was Idahee — the former Elf Queen, and the wife of the Hero of the Bow among the six Heroes.
"Mother, we are hardly alone in this chamber at the moment. Please, I beg you, mind your decorum. And these days, I am to be called Heidy Hiridi."
"Oh? Well, fair enough. Elders, I have matters to discuss with my daughter in private — would you kindly give us the room?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. Please, talk at your leisure!"
At a single word from her, all ten elders filed out of the chamber.
"Haah... Mother, do you want to go that badly?"
"But of course~ I want to go on a date with my darling daughter, and it has been simply ages since I've seen my nieces and nephews. I want to go too — you will let me come along, won't you, Jia?"
"Haah... honestly, Mother, you will be the death of me. Very well. We shall go together..."
"Really?! Thank you so much! That's my girl. Love you!"
"If your business here is finished, please go home. I still have a great deal of work to do."
And with that, the elves, too, had settled who would attend the Summit.
The Holy Kingdom of Helena was the seat of the Church of Helena, which served the Goddess of Life, Helena, as its head deity, and home to the successor of the Saint, one of the six Heroes. There, too, the Summit delegation was being chosen at that very moment.
"Then, for this Summit, I, Alice — the Twelfth Saintess — shall attend in the company of Cardinal Vatus. Should any here object, I ask that you speak now."
The Saintess spoke, yet not one voice was raised against her.
"Then I shall take that as none, and declare this meeting closed."
With the Holy Kingdom settled, all fourteen who would attend the Summit stood decided at last.
At the Shadow estate, Albert was in the middle of a lesson with Yurien.
"Well done today, as always, Albert."
"Thank you as well, Teacher."
"Now that I think of it — it seems I will be unable to hold our lessons next week."
"Oh? Is something the matter?"
"It appears no one has told you yet, Albert."
And so Yurien told Albert of the Summit of the Heirs that was to come.
"I... I haven't heard anything from Mother yet... I see. Understood. Then I shall see you in two weeks, Teacher!"
"Yes, of course. And Albert — do be diligent with your review."
'I have to go ask Mother about this right now! The strongest people in this world will all be gathered there, won't they? Then I have to see it for myself!'
So Albert sought out Sarah and begged her to take him along to the Summit — and was refused.
"No. You are still too young. By its very rules, the Summit is an occasion where delegates bring only their husband or wife — or their heir. It is too soon for you. Now go on home for today."
"Yes... Mom... Good night..."
But at the sight of Al's hangdog expression, Sarah felt her resolve waver.
"Al, wait just a moment. Do you want to attend the Summit that badly?"
"Yes! I want to go more than anything! It's where the strongest people in this world all gather — please, I want to go!"
"Very well. You shall come along — in five years. When those five years are up, I will decide whether you attend based on how far you have grown. Work hard."
"Yes, Mom! I'll work hard and make absolutely sure I go with you!"
"I will hold you to that. Now, it is already time for bed — hurry off, and sleep."
"Yes, Mom. Good night."
And so the night deepened over the Shadow household. The next morning, a crowd had gathered at the mansion's front entrance.
"Al, while your mother and I are away, you must look after Tiny with care. Understood?"
"Yes, Dad, don't worry. Luke and Lara will be here too — you have nothing to worry about."
"Luke, Lara — Al and Tiny are in your hands while we are gone."
"Of course, Lord Isaac. You needn't worry in the least. Do travel safely."
"Good — dependable as ever. Well then, we're off. Jack, time to get moving at last."
"Yes, honey. Children, we're leaving now. Be good while we're away."
"Safe travels!"
"Honey, it has been ages since we last went on a proper outing, hasn't it? I am truly delighted."
"You are the only person in the entire world who calls the Summit an 'outing', Jack."
"Ahem. Well... fair enough. You will be escorting me again today, won't you, honey?"
"Of course. If you wish it, Jack, I will escort you for the rest of your life."
"Then escort me for the rest of my life, honey."
"Gladly. Forever it is."
And so the two of them, too, set out for the Arceus Kingdom.
The Secree household, too, was making its preparations for the Summit.
"Erich, are you ready to depart?"
"Give me just a little longer. Nearly done."
"You've done your makeup especially cute today. And who, exactly, are you trying to impress?"
"You, of all people, know there is no one to impress. Besides, minimal makeup is simply good manners — how do you not know that?"
"Haah... you look even more adorable than usual today. It is getting very hard to restrain myself..."
"Wh-what?! You are not thinking of doing it now, are you? Are you out of your mind? We have to leave soon!"
"It's fine. If we push the pace a little on the way, we will still arrive on time."
But in the very moment Shina moved to pounce upon her husband, Iris appeared.
"Mother, Father — are you leaving now?"
The instant Iris appeared, Shina's face clouded with displeasure, while Erich was simply overjoyed to see his daughter after so long.
"Yes, we were just about to leave. Iris, it has been far too long. You've only grown lovelier since I last saw you."
"Thank you."
"Ahem. Erich, it is time we departed. Iris — see that Vik wants for nothing while we are away."
"Yes, Mother. Do travel safely."
"Iris — until next time."
"Yes, Father. You take care as well."
And so the Secree family, too, set out. At ten in the morning, the Queen of the Arceus Kingdom was frantic with preparations to receive her guests.
"Now listen well, Erina. This time, Empress Jaina Arman of the Arman Empire will be attending in person, and from the Holy Kingdom, Cardinal Vatus is coming. You must see to their every need. Understood?"
"Yes, Royal Mother. Just leave everything to me."
Erina, the next Queen of the Arceus Kingdom, was, at that moment, a storm of nerves beneath her composure.
'The first Summit since Father passed away. I must not falter!'
When eleven o'clock came, the guests — twelve in all — began to arrive.
"It has been far too long, Your Majesty. Sarah Secree, head of the Shadow family, pays you her respects."
"Isaac Shadow, lady of the Shadow household — it is an honor to behold Your Majesty."
"Yes, do come in. You are my first guests — why not rest in your chambers for a while?"
"Then we shall gratefully accept Your Majesty's kindness."
One after another the delegations followed, the Shadow family leading the way, until by eleven or so every last guest had crossed the palace gates.
"Greetings, everyone. I am Asuna Arceus, Queen of the Arceus Kingdom and descendant of Reinhardt Arceus, the Paladin — one of the six Heroes."
Once Asuna had finished, the remaining attendees introduced themselves in turn.
"Now that the introductions are concluded, please enjoy the banquet freely until two o'clock. Descendants and successors, I ask that you gather in the council chamber by two."
The banquet ran its course, and at last two o'clock arrived. The successors gathered in the council chamber, while their companions waited in an adjoining room.
"Now then — let the Summit of the Heirs begin."