Chapter 16: Floral Maidens & Prince Loki
**Loki POV**
The guard who had delivered the message was kneeling in front of Loki who was finishing off his post training meal causing a faint shroud of mana to surround the young prince. The mana was shifting between being transparent and showing images of artwork within the Palace, a consequence of the attempt to delve into using Mirage magic. While much smaller in scale there was a cold air around him that carried the scent of death from his recent endeavors in Undead magic.
"You wish for me to cancel this meeting don't you? Not only are they Adventurers who have a strength not representative of their rank, they also happen to all be succubi or in other words demons." The guard stayed silent not denying Loki's claim. "I must meet with them regardless, not only has my name already been given, they proved vital in eliminating this threat to myself and many others. I can at least offer them words of appreciation." A silence unfolded within the carriage though outside guards were hustling around due to the time of the meeting approaching as well as the departure from the hunt itself. "Do you not trust Vice-Captain Mekkla to protect myself? Are you not a member of the Imperial Guard yourself? Have some confidence for I am relying on yourself and your comrades." A single tear fell to the ground as the guard trembled with pride. The Goblin King slaying Prince was saying such words to him and the guard had actually left his position to quite possibly brag to his friends leaving Loki with an indescribable expression on his face.
The carriage had been fully decked out with numerous pastries and treats which had been prepared using a magic item, nutrition is one of the areas the Empire focuses on for its cream of the crop both in terms of birth and ability after all. Granted it can't compare to the modern world, but magic has helped to keep it from appearing like a complete joke. The consequence of such a thing was the food lacking in the taste department, Loki had gotten somewhat used to the strange tastes though he always struggled with things like astringent or bitter tea.
"Thank you for agreeing to this meeting. My name is Loki Drai Zoval, it is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of Adventurers such as yourselves. It isn't every day though that a team of Adventurers without a patron would agree to meet with royalty." Such a formal or stiff way of speaking coming from the mouth of a six year old was certainly quite jarring for those seeing it initially. Outsiders of the Palace might assume it was simply expected of royalty though it wasn't common at all, they would often act more like their age the younger they are.
"Pardon my rudeness, Your Highness. Would it be acceptable for us to speak casually? We sisters would likely embarrass ourselves if we attempted to speak in such a manner." Kaya had been the one to respond clearly fearful of failing at this chance to investigate the options for factions.
"I will allow it, besides it is convenient for me." In a single moment it was if the tension in the carriage had mostly dissipated. "I will skip right to the point then. Why did you accept my invitation for a meeting? All of my siblings posess more authority than I do, furthermore this might put them on guard. I can't help wondering what you three aim to do assuming you still plan to stay within the Zoval Empire that is." The tension had been brought back in that moment as Loki looked between each of the three succubi both wary and grateful to them especially since he has to speak to them in such a way despite their deeds.
**Kaya POV**
<Kaya: What do we say? Is he suspecting us of being spies or the like?>
<Faya: It seems tensions are quite high between Demons and Mankind. Maybe he wants to see if we plan on trying to obtain a puppet ruler?>
<Kaya: Hmm maybe ... hey why has Saya been typing for ages?>
<Faya: Ignore anything that waste might say until we are out of this meeting. Kaya, we can't silent for too long though we also can't say more than necessary.>
<Kaya: True, should we pose this as betting on his potential? To get positions after he ascends to the throne?>
<Saya: Indeed! We can't let any of the other Princes ascend! For none of them will be as cute, as .....>
Kaya took a second to clear her throat before focusing on Loki. "Your Highness as Adventurers we will one day no longer be able to set out on Adventures. We sisters would appreciate the chance to enter into the service of the Imperial Zoval Family. Might we get a chance as a reward for the death of the Goblin King?" Kaya's voice had been smooth and clear as she kept a smile on her face. The pondering expression on Loki's face was causing her to worry and even almost start to sweat.
**Loki POV**
(Hm ... They went silent for quite some time. NPCs, player markers, that silence yet apparently the three of them having made a decision together. The only problem is ... this is clearly a real world for me. Is it worth the risk? Might they lash out?)
After a few moments of thought Loki shot a bright smile at the sisters as he tried to not look at Saya's drooling face. "I cannot guarantee your party is all hired. I will simply provide the venue for such a time being my first ranking completion. How does that sound Floral Maidens?"
Once more the three fell silent for a short while and without looking at each other they had all nodded at the same time. "That is more than we could ask for Your Highness." Kaya had spoken for the group and with that set in stone Loki hardened himself to ask more direct questions.
"Good. Now then please let me say it at least once. You have my gratitude for your part in slaying the Goblin King. I will remember your names and accomplishment, Kaya, Faya, and Saya of the Floral Maidens." After giving a short bow of his head Loki stared into Kaya's eyes.
"Please pardon any rudeness about the question I will ask. What are these NPCs you sisters were talking about earlier? I haven't heard people be referred to in such a way, both in my life and from the texts I have read on history."
**Kaya POV**
<Kaya: Huh? Why is he asking about NPCs as an NPC?>
<Faya: Is it a feature of some advanced ai? To insist that it is real?>
<Saya: I'm not so sure. Faya, have there even been people in the lore that have gems on their forehead? I think the Prince is looking at my forehead despite my attempts to push his gaze to my cleavage.>
<Kaya: Saya ... you filthy ... wait gem? Are you talking about the player indicator?>
<Faya: You might have a point Saya. There are Vampires, Dragons in human form and other species here though.>
<Kaya: Faya, Saya I'm going to start saying a bunch of game terms aloud. I want you two to watch his facial expressions.>
(I know they are both looking at me like I'm crazy. I just have a bad feeling about this ... Like I can't even explain it to myself.)
"Well after we woke up one day we began referring to those who don't have a crystal on their forehead as NPCs. One thing about this Crystal is that when out it will change colors from things like green to yellow, red, or black supposedly. There was this voice that called itself a System Administrator and it said how it would give us strength for this trial." The whole time that Kaya had spoke she was worried that her voice might of cracked or her expression might have shown how nervous she had become, though she managed to keep the obvious signs from showing.
"This System Administrator told you that those without crystals are NPCs? Strength for a trial? Who would be fit to give these trials? ... Deities? Great Spirits? Abyssal Beings?" While Loki had muttered his hypothesis the Floral Sisters practically shuddered in unison though luckily for them, Loki had been looking down at that moment.
<Kaya: Oi! What kinda monster is this Prince!? Is he really 6!? I'm worried any seconds he will call us players!>
<Faya: It feels like he knows quite a bit. Has he seen one of the imprisoned players? I heard they can log out, but they can't escape.>
<Saya: Remember the character creation? It asked us if we would devote ourselves to a God, Great Spirit, or Abyssal Being.>
<Kaya: And we had chosen Abyssal Being which opened up the demonic species for us. Oddly enough none of the missions have asked us to clash with other players.>
<Faya: If anything I heard that killing another player gets your potential wasted to the point where it never goes up after zeroing out.>
"You know there is something interesting I caught wind of. There was a group of Demi-Humans that appeared in the Verdant Council. They all had crystals on their foreheads and they would have their bodies materialize elsewhere when killed." Just those words that Loki said brought the three succubi to the pit of despair since they had an idea of what he was talking about.
"Now then, why don't you let me tell you a story of the Gaebulg Crusaders. I believe it happened roughly two months ago." At a signal from Loki Mekkla had entered the carriage and was glaring at the Succubi pressuring them to not try anything funny.
(Damnit! Does he think we are related to those lunatics!? How do we convince him otherwise!?)
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Nitalo
Nitalo My apologies for the delay. Originally when I was writing this chapter I was worried about progressing things faster than I should have. Next chapter might raise the concern of jumping into the divine faster than I should, though I believe it will be necessary. The issues posed this chapter and during the next will be ones that don't end quickly in the ideal state. Also the barrier won't be going down for quite some time.
I'd still say I'm firmly in a prologue of sorts with wanting to have at least 1-2 arcs before I give the Heaven-Blessed or players more direct impact. That being said next chapter will be focusing on three deities also functioning as a status checkup for the various players. It will be a brief overview for that section and I'm getting ideas in a more clear sense for the first Harem Members that will fight alongside Loki.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone