Iâm Not in Plegia Anymore || Robin & Edelgard
Edelgard was ecstatic about Robin wanting to join her. She had no bad motives at all, but the situation was still a little off. What if Robin is a spy sent to watch me from the darkness? Her stance straightened a bit more and knew that she was always being watched, no matter what. Would they even send someone straight to her to watch her though? She didnât want to have any doubts about Robin but now the anxiety was itching in the back of her mind.
âThe Adrestian Empire is very bountiful in what we hold dear to ourselves. My father is currently ruling, but, some day I shall take the throne from him and rule this vast Empire. We have several different positions to help me with ruling, so it is nice to have people to help rely on, yet, some of them are very corrupt.â She gave a soft side. Full well knowing that someday, she will excommunicate and strip titles of people to hand those titles over to people who she know will do the Empire better. That is far from now though, yet the thought still poked in her mind.
âI think you will actually enjoy your time here. The Empire greatly relies on Magic based users here for most of our militia defense and offense. In fact, thereâs more mages than ax wielders here. My father used to be a mage in fact, a very powerful one at that. ButâŚâ Her attention was brought to the front gates. Two guards stood here all the time, maintaining balance. She looked back to Robin, giving a small smile, âBut thatâs neither here nor there. Letâs continue.â After telling the guards that Robin was her esteemed guest, they had opened the gate doors for them.
Stepping into the inner walls of the Empire, there was much to see. Countless shops in a small area, houses with children playing outside of them, people living their own lives within the Empire. It seemed so normal to the average person yet, this was still not the area they needed to be in. Large stone houses to hold larger family members, the water sources directly outside the house. Some houses were decorated with a small garden with flowers and gardens for vegetables. Edelgard had known that their was a large amount of food and supplies so that no one would be hungry. Heat sources were all over the town of Enbarr as well to make sure the colder months would not be a burden. She was pleased to know so many people were well taken care of daily.
âHouse Bergliez is the one who takes care of our military affairs while, House Varley helps with our religious affairs of the Church of Seiros. Hm, House Hevring does our domestic affairs with neighboring area. House Vestra, thatâs a one that you may not hear a lot about. They have worked for my family for generations to come. They⌠Pick up the dirty work so to say. There are many other houses who help though, I can explain more later.â Edelgard cleared her throat and she looked up, seeing the Adrestian Castle that she resided in.
âThis is my home. I can show you around inside but is there anything you would like to see outside the castle walls before we go in? Iâm sure many of questions will be asked once weâre inside. We can explore Enbarr a bit more if you want to.â Edelgard turned on her heel, cocking her head slightly at Robin. Surely he must trust her just a little, he had not been kidnapped. And she was giving him a place to stay for the meantime.Â
âIt is reasonable for you to still find caution. This place is fairly large and very unfamiliar to you. So I understand if you wish to take in your surroundings.â Edelgard looked past Robin to see children playing, a brother and a sister mindlessly chasing each other, without a care in the world. A soft smile graced her lips again and she turned her attention back to Robin. Some smaller children ran past her, waving and calling her âPrincess!â to which she would wave back to the children and they continued on their ways.
Sliding his hands into the pockets of his coat, Robin pursed his lips thoughtfully as Edelgard described the current political situation within the Empire. Corruption was hardly unusual, nor unprecedented in governance. For most men and women, it was easy to succumb to the allure of power. With power came prestige, lifeâs comforts, and pride. Should any of those be relished too deeply, it bred a desire for more. If that desire burned too harshly, it lead to taking from those who already had less. It was all too common. He shook his head, casting his gaze toward the fast-approaching center of the city as the princess continued to describe her home.
A militia filled with users of magic⌠Robin mused to himself, both impressed and conflicted with the new knowledge. If a nation relied heavily upon magic for its operations, that meant that there must be great investment in research pertaining to magic. If my suspicions are correct, then I should have the resources I need to concoct a plan out of here. He determined with confidence, hoping that perhaps the magical advances in Adrestia even surpass those in Ylisse or Plegia. On the other hand, Robin wondered if Edelgard shared this knowledge with him as a warning. A nation that specialized in magic meant that if he needed to escape, it would be more difficult to use his own magic to his advantage.
For now, he shelved those thoughts, instead studying the structures around him as they arrived at the cityâs center. One observation that was particularly noticeable was the state of the civilians that lived there. Though they were hustling along, going about their days and worrying over chores, work, or shopping, they seemed happy. Children scampered along the streets without any hesitation or fear. Older couples were seated at benches, sharing laughs and old memories. Seeing the people so relaxed brought back fond memories of when he had first arrived in Ylisstol with Chrom and Lissa. The people are happy here. Robin concluded. While that doesnât say much about what the governance might be planningâŚI can at least say the Empire cares for its people.
Robin hummed along as Edelgard described Adrestiaâs system of power, occasionally nodding in acknowledgement as the princess detailed the various layers of nobility. He supposed that in some ways, a greater division of power would prevent corruption through monopoly. However, such divisions could also result in corruption if failed to be properly checked. It was nothing like the power system he had become accustomed to in Ylisse.
The tacticianâs steps ceased as they arrived before the Adrestian Castle. His eyes carefully observed the exterior of the protective stone walls, before he turned, casting his gaze to the city. Though Edelgard reassured him that he had nothing to concern himself over, Robin couldnât drop his guard so easily. At the very least, he wanted to have an escape route in mind, should he need to make a sudden escape.
âActuallyâŚI wouldnât mind looking at local bookstores and trying the cuisine. You can learn a lot about a place by the food thatâs served, and the books that are sold.â
