Darius pov:
The Oceanic Federation
A nation that emerged from the ruins of the Calamity War as an alliance of Pacific nations that initially banded together for survival and mutual defence.
Its political system is similar to that of its northern neighbour, with a Federal Assembly and a Prime Minister as the head of government.
This federation had the chance to outstrip every other simply based on the fact that it had a high industrial output and nearly half the world's population, the only block even near being the African Union. Unfortunately, with such a large nation, the interests are divided mainly based on location and ethnic groups which have made any decision from what type of clothing is allowed in the parliament room to the dreaded budget allocation a drawn-out nightmare.
So, basically a Frankenstein nation only held together for the sake of standing with the other major powers.
The parliament is officially structured on equal representation, and this has resulted in alliances as it always does:
Pacific Coalition: Indigenous and Pacific communities band together to protect their cultural and resource rights.
ASEAN League: Coalition of Southeast Asian-originated communities focusing on economic development and maritime security.
Chinese Congress: Represents Chinese diaspora influence and the biggest in power.
Raj coalition: same as the Chinese, being the only other standalone coalition to be able to challenge Chinese.
Last but certainly not least is the one that has got me in a ranting mood.
The East Federation alliance: A faction made up of powerful old Japanese, Korean and a few eastern chinese families that hit above their weight, arguably the third most powerful in this hodgepodge of a nation thanks to their vast wealth and being the technological hub.
In these alliances, there are, guess what, alliances and one of the most influential of those alliances is the Kyoto Houses.
Nothing weird about that right, well. Knowing that this universe was a stew of different worlds, I knew I needed to check up on Japan. Afterall, it's where most shit goes down in most isekai. Surely something interesting was there. I was right to do so cause I found an interesting house among the houses.
The Sumeragis'.
A brain-itching surname.
A powerful house that got much of its wealth from mining, being the owners of most of the Japanese coalition's mines who have a good amount of market shares in many mineral and metal refineries.
Currently, the family consists of the head of the house, his three wives and five children, discounting the branch families and siblings of the head. The first two wives were high nobleborn women from the Japanese mainland, while the last was a Martian woman, the man had been infatuated with because of her beauty, whom he married.
He had two children with the first two wives and one with the Martian.
As one might guess, the Martian woman and her daughter haven't exactly been treated as family, and with competition as bloodthirsty as it was to be part of a major family in an ever-fighting economic bloc in an ever-fighting, not-so-united nation, it wasn't a surprise.
So unlike her other siblings who tried their power plays in and around the family and economic bloc, the daughter and mother wanted to try their luck on Mars, which the big man of the house allowed.
Now, this daughter was clearly someone with just as much ambition as her older relatives cause she asked for control of the Martian mines.
The Martian mines weren't really essential to the big family, so Daddy allowed her favourite girl to do as she pleased with supervision, of course.
This girl within a few years, had made the Sumeragi's oceanic market share go up from 10% to a staggering 30%
Kaguya Sumeragi was a genius in her own right, doing all of this without even reaching the age of twenty yet. A genius I wanted to work in collaboration with the Redstone Mines, possibly joining Kudelia and Taiwaz. Well, that and the fact of who she was and what that potentially represented. She would also play a large role in a bigger plan I have, considering she will be an important figure sooner or later with how well she's doing on Mars.
She was also gaining influence in Arbrau-controlled Mars, reportedly so she can expand her business into the mineral rich region. But above all else, I'm biased since I was a big fan of the series she's from.
However, biased and stupid are not the same thing. Kaguya isn't nearly powerful enough to warrant me going out of my way to befriend her, but I can take down two birds with one stone.
Which is the main reason why I've paid special attention to the Mallards. This family is not just a big shot on this side of Mars but is rumoured to have connections to a few members of Arbrau's parliament. They rivalled the Bernsteins in power on Mars which tells me enough.
If I got the Mallards on my side with the Bernstein's, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that no one in Arbrau controlled Martian territories could stop us.
Which is why I'm here.
" I just…I don't know why any would do this."
" People out there are just cruel, cruel monsters. I warned him that trying to do too much too fast would lead to something negative, but he was just so bull-headed about it. Something I loved and hated about him."
Holding a crying Mina Mallard, I felt somewhat bad for her. Her last relative died cause he was foolish right before her birthday, leaving her as the last Mallard and the head of her territories. A responsibility she just wasn't ready for.
The girl let out a few dying sniffles, finally relaxing after who knew how long of a crying fit. It was almost too sad how quickly she just accepted me and my story.
I was just a street rat that her brother befriended in secret because of their parents' classist attitude. Until I built my way to the top with Fareed's help in Cryse then planned to expand back.
The icing on the cake was the fact that I even had photos to prove it. Crazy right? It's such a shame her brother and father kept the girl sheltered, and even worse is the fact that they didn't spend as much time together during recent years because dearest daddy was training her brother to take over, then he had to take up the mantle real quick after Dad's death.
Her brother was also quite secretive about his personal life. Yep, did my research, and now that entire mess has ended up here, with me coming back to pay my respects.
Kept in contact over the years and came back to warn him of his mistake after becoming a bigwig myself.
A story crafted thanks to the meticulous analysis of Fareed and the Mallard's life, some excellent Photoshop skills, and the removal of anyone who could cast doubt on my story. Mix that with a lonely, emotionally traumatised girl, and we got a winner.
" I…I don't know what to do. Father had not prepared me all that well for taking over. Fareed was the heir after all and I wanted to become something else. A fashion designer." the girl muttered, pulling away to clean her face.
" Goodness, I do apologise for my rather uncouth behaviour. " she added quickly, finally popping out a weak smile. " The first thing I do when meeting you is cry and dump all my problems on you."
" Nonsense. No one has the right to blame you for your behaviour. To lose a family member is always a saddening event, let alone losing them all." I leaned in, tucking some of her hair behind her ear, shooting the young noblewoman a practised, gentle smile. " Plus, I came to help in whatever way possible. "
Mina blushed lightly, looking to the side as her smile widened a fraction. " I-thank you. "
That was when someone knocked on the door. After cleaning up a bit, Mina gave the affirmative for them to enter. A butler entered and bowed. " Sorry to interrupt, my lady but Lady Sumeragi has just arrived and is in the second living room."
Ah, the second bird.
"Kagu? Why is she here?"
The blond-haired noble woman, but this one has blue eyes, stood up, ready to go see her friend, before remembering I was still there. I, however, waved her off. " Go, do see your friend. I should probably see myself out. "
The noble girl nodded. " Thank you so much Mr Kingston. I do not know why but your presence has been comforting."
Standing up, I picked up my coat and walked to the door where Rina stood. "I'm glad to have finally met you, and please, call me Darius. I already consider you family. If you ever need help, I'm here, emotional or otherwise."
Just as I made it to her, I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. " I know this is not something you may want to hear but it is crucial to understand, Mina. Being lord, especially of a territory doing quite well, will earn the attention of unsavoury individuals. People who may try to use your vulnerability against you. People like those that…those that ended your brother."
The girl nodded seriously, her eyes holding a fiery edge. " Thank you Mr- Darius. I understand. I may not be knowledgeable about many things, but I know one thing. Whoever has done this shall pay dearly."
Oh, I almost felt a chill up my spine at that. " Do call me if you find anything. I shall mobilise all my resources to ensure those bastards pay. To allow such to happen under my protection is a great debt I need to repay."
Mina's smile came back, the biggest I had seen since I first met the girl. " Thank you once again Darius."
Just as the girl walked me to the door, we ran into a little surprise in the form of another noble lady I recognised in the foyer. " Ah, you're Miss Kaguya Sumeragi. A pleasure. I've read a lot about you and I must say, what you've accomplished is simply astounding."
I extended a hand to the Sumeragi, one she took and one I kissed the knuckles of. Many a young noblewoman had found it to be rather cheek-warming. Still operating on medieval logic.
Just make oneself appear as either a knightly honour-bound figure or a mysterious roguish figure like their fantasies and you'll have their ears, and in turn, their families' ears.
No matter how many things change, some things stay the same.
"Yes," Kaguya responded coolly, slipping seamlessly into the careful diplomatic mask most of the older women I had tried it on.
"And you must be Darius Kingston. The pleasure is mine." She tilted her head slightly, her long black hair catching the light like silk. "You've certainly left your mark, Mr. Kingston. Some might say meteoric."
" I do not think I deserve such praise, but it is quite welcome."
We regarded each other for a moment. Maybe I was just being quick to judge, but she seemed…colder than I thought she would. This was a different universe, so obviously she would be different and it's not exactly like we're friends yet.
Either way, she gave off a more composed, controlled feeling while making me warier than I thought I needed to be.
Meanwhile, Mina, perhaps noticing the odd tension between us, stepped in with a soft voice, "Darius was just checking on me. He came as soon as he heard."
Kaguya's expression softened slightly at her friend's tone. "Of course he did," she said gently, stepping closer and giving Mina's hand a squeeze. "I came for the same reason. I'm so sorry, Mina."
Of course he did? Maybe it was her tone, but it didn't sound right. Did I do something to her?
Mina's smile warmed at her friend's show of care. "Thank you, both of you. Really."
My attention flicked to the girls for a moment, then to the portraits of the Mallard family hanging around the foyer.
"Were you close to her brother?" Kaguya asked, voice inquisitive.
"Indeed. I was also acquainted with her father, for better or for worse. We worked together. No matter his personal thoughts, he respected strength and was not afraid to show it. Anyway, I thank Fareed every day for helping throughout my life; God rest his soul."
I cleared my throat, adjusting my coat. I didn't wanna explain the story again to someone whose mind seemed on edge and untainted by emotion, so I decided taking my leave was a good idea.
"Well, I was taking my leave. I did not want to get in the way of friends," I announced. "Though Miss Kaguya. I do admire your work. Some partners of mine and I have recently started a mining company. I would love to work together sometime. Do give me a call."
"A generous offer," Kaguya replied smoothly, dipping her head just enough to acknowledge my words. "I'll be sure to consider it."
With that and a wave goodbye to the Mallard, I took my leave.
My vehicle was waiting in front of the estate. Ricky, my ever-reliable assistant and friend, was in the car when I entered. "Ah, boss. How did it go?"
I took a moment to think about it. " Fine, I suppose. Mina shall not be an issue. It's her friend who could be one, though. I'm still confident enough to carry on with the Mallard expansion. Just inform Cody to take his time with it. We'll need to be careful just in case."
" Yes, sir. "
" Do you still not have any reports from the duo?"
Ricky shook his head in the negative, a smile forming on his face at the sight of my impatience. " We only sent them today. Even the best of the best would take quite a while. After all, the Black Knights have managed to elude many noblemen."
Sighing, I turned to stare out the window. I had to relax. It was just so hard when the knowledge that the possibility of C.C being out there existed. And the geass, of course.
Sighing once more, I closed my eyes and relaxed in my seat. " It's only a matter of time, I suppose."
Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I felt an exasperated smile form. " No rest for the wicked, I see."