Interstellar Age

Daelia stared in shock at Erich as he asked her a question she never thought she would hear from the man. There were a million reasons why marrying Erich was a bad idea. But after reviewing the evidence of the threat which loomed beyond the borders of the milky way galaxy, there was at least one really good reason to do so.

Still, Erich was already set to marry Lunaria. Perhaps if this was the case she would consider his offer, after all the Germanic Star-Empire was a rising star on the galactic stage. And it was abundantly clear that their ability to wage war, at least on the ground, was second to none.

Especially with the recent upgrades to a Star Marines armor, cybernetic implants, and their genetic code. The next generation of Star Marines whose job would be to defend the galaxy from the Naraku Menace would be vastly superior to their forbearers, who once wore such a mantle.

Then there was the fact that Daelia considered Erich to at the very least not be an utter eyesore. With all of this in mind, she would be tempted to accept his offer, especially if it meant a strong alliance with a rising power.

But there was just one problem, as previously mentioned, Erich had already agreed to marry Lunaria, who was Daelia's older sister, and arch nemesis. Because of this, she immediately denied his request.

"A tempting offer, but I will have to pass. Perhaps in another life we could have made a powerful couple, but you have already chosen my elder sister, and there would be no end to her fury if I were to steal you away from her...."

Erich chuckled when he heard this, in a way that Daelia found confusing. Why was this man laughing at her act of rejection? Was he perhaps actually unwell in the head? Thus far, he showed no signs of cognitive decline. But it was in the next moment that Erich's shameless words truly stunned the ancient Dark Elven beauty.

"You completely misunderstood my offer, Daelia. I'm not offering to marry you instead of your elder sister, but rather marry you in addition to Lunaria. Perhaps at a shared wedding to show the newfound solidarity of our unified empire."

Daelia stared at Erich as if he had gone absolutely mad, in what conceivable world would she or Lunaria for that matter ever agree to such a hair brained request? The enmity between the two sisters ran deeper than one could possibly imagine.

In fact, Daelia's brow twitched as she heard this. Taking a second to compose herself as she asked if she was hearing things correctly.

"I'm sorry... Did you just ask to take my sister and I as your brides, and even go so far as to marry us at the same time?"

Yet no matter how insane the idea sounded to Daelia, Erich simply smiled and nodded his head. Before confirming with his words that was exactly what he had said.

"That is correct."

There was a look of utter confidence on Erich's face, almost as if he knew the woman would accept his offer. This shamelessness caused Daelia to scoff and shake her head, before criticizing the man for his outright insane idea.

"In what world would that possibly happen? Let's say I put aside the anger and hatred I feel towards Lunaria. I mean, do you have any idea how many of my children she killed during the schism all those years ago? She damn near annihilated my race!

But let's say I move past this. Do you really think Lunaria would accept such a thing? She hates me just as much as I do her!"

Still, Erich did not flinch at the mere suggestion that it was impossible to get the two Elven beauties to embrace him as their husband, and bury the grudge that they had shared towards one another since time immemorial. Instead, he confidently stated this potential reality was indeed achievable. While simultaneously not explaining how.

"You let me worry about Lunaria, believe it or not. I know how the woman thinks better than just about anyone other than herself. The fact that she spared you was more than just simple diplomatic courtesy, or mutually assured destruction. Deep down inside, she holds some kind of desire to come to terms with you. She is just too proud to do so.

I am confident in my ability to convince the woman to agree to this union, not only in terms of our marriage but also of our three empires. It will take some work, sure, but in the end I will have what I want. I always do when it comes to that woman..."

Daelia once more stared at Erich, utterly dumbfounded by his confidence in a scheme that was absolutely asinine. But something in the back of her head prodded her towards the idea of agreeing to Erich's wild plot.

After all, the idea that the Naraku were a threat beyond what she or anyone else in the galaxy had ever dreamt of in their worst nightmares was a truly terrifying concept. And the union of the two major Elven Races, along with the superior size and strength of the Germanic soldiers, would be a very powerful entity, one that even the Naraku would have a hard time contending with.

Thus, for whatever reason, Daelia smirked and shook her head, completely astounded by Erich's vision for the future, as she asked one more question before coming to a decision.

"Just to make things clear here... If I were to agree to this fantastical dream of the future that you have, how exactly would this government function? I don't see myself or Lunaria relinquishing our power so that you can reign as emperor. So what exactly is your vision for the future?"

Erich smirked when he heard this. He had already thought this through quite thoroughly, and proposed an idea that Daelia found intriguing.

"Isn't that answer simple? We are merging three distinctive cultures together into a single empire. If done incorrectly, this could prove disastrous for not only our people, but the entire galaxy. Since the three of us are immortal beings, I see no reason that a Triumvirate cannot work.

I would be in control of all matters regarding the military, as well as the enforcement of laws. I will, after all, be spending millennia away from the milky way leading our troops to wage war against the Naraku.

You will be responsible for foreign affairs. Which will be important, not only in maintaining control over the Milky Way, and the various civilizations within it, but coordinating with any extragalactic civilizations that have managed to fend off the Naraku Assault.

After all, your ability to persuade others to join your cause is far superior to Lunaria's. Hence why the federation has its allies, and she has vassals. You convinced others to wave your banner while she crushed them militarily.

Finally, Lunaria will be in charge of domestic affairs. As much as this may hurt your ego, I will objectively say that Lunaria's handling of the economy is vastly superior to your own, and the Light Elves have a far more traditional approach to culture that the Germanic people will be more inclined to accept.

Besides, we will all be assisted by an entity whose level of competency is superior to our own. And in the event that we can't agree on a course of action, she will be the final say."

Dividing the responsibilities othe government among three leaders was indeed a way to allow each of them to have some semblence of power and control over society. But Daelia was indeed upset that Lunaria would be in charge of domestic affairs.

After all... This meant that the freedoms her people enjoyed would become restricted in the event of this united civilization. But what Erich said at the end surprised the ancient beauty, who was quick to ask for clarification.

"I'm sorry... Did you say we would have an assistant? Who is that exactly?"

Erich smirked when he heard this, before revealing his trump card to Daelia, knowing that it would ultimately convince the woman to agree to his request.

"I'm glad you asked that, Tia please introduce yourself..."