The Mechanical Era

Malina was dressed in a modest white gown and a church cross necklace made of silver, sitting on a dark oak chair near a dark oak door patiently waiting while praying to god with both her hands, holding the cross of the necklace. On the other side of the door, was her husband Danial being treated for mana fever.

He has been there for hours, yet they still haven't come out yet. Though she looked calm on the outside, Malinda grew evermore worried as every minute passed, and started treating the worst-case scenario as fact.

The door suddenly opened, revealing Jared, a man with long brown hair, coco brown eyes, and fair skin. He was the head mage physician who diagnosed Danial's illness. Malinda immediately stood up and walked in front.

"Is he okay, doctor?" she asked. Jared smile.

"Yes, he is alright your majesty. It is likely that he will make it out alive and well..."

"Oh thank god," she muttered under her breath, after hearing the positive news.

"...However, he might be a lot weaker than he usually is. It is too soon for us to know how much. Whether he either loses a little bit of his strength or is bedridden for his entire life is unknown and that will have to wait." the doctor finally finished his sentence.

"But he will live right?" Malinda asked.

"Oh yes. Certainly." Jared answered.

"Can I speak to him?"

"Of course yes." as soon as he replied, Malinda, stormed in beside her husband, who was in a white. He was much less pale than before, but still pretty pale and weak. The two smiled at each other. The other mages left the room, leaving the couple alone.

"How are you feeling honey?" Malinda asked.

"I am feeling a lot better. Were you waiting for me outside all this time?"

"Of course... as always," she replied.

Before they could talk for hours, there was a knock on the door. In came a knight in a suit of armor, holding an envelope in his hands.

"A letter from Hoverdam for your majesty," he said. He gives the letter to Danial, who at this point sat on his bed while keeping his legs on the mattress, and left the room. Danial opened the envelope to read the letter. Though he read it rather slowly, he got through the contents in one sitting. After he finished, a smile appeared on his face.

"What is it?" Malinda asks in curiosity.

"It appears our boy is stronger than you expected dear," he replied and handed over the letter to Malina. She read through the letter, informing her that Kant had learned of the pierrevol attack, even earlier than them apparently. His reaction was described to be calm and decisive.

"They are asking for permission to inform Kant of my illness. What do you think honey?". Malinda kept quiet. She was conflicted about how to feel about this new piece of information.

"I don't know honey... I think we should wait."

"Till when?" Danial asks. Malinda thought about it.

"How about the end of the month?" she replied.

"Honey, you are always like this when it comes to Kant as if he was a little boy. You weren't so soft on Edward or the twins when they were growing up. But Kant?"

"Honey he is just... different. I think we should wait on him for a little bit longer. Let him grow a bit stronger before telling him. Another month would be the best."

"I could have agreed to that, but he is currently running the city. He needs to know of his father's condition. Besides, I am getting better anyways, it should be fine." Danial rebutted. Malinda was silent once again, reevaluating her choices.

"We should involve Corel in this discussion."

"Why?" Danial asked.

"I discussed with him before when we talked about whether we should inform the children. Since you are telling me that this is a political issue, it would be best to bring a third party," she answers. Danial sighed and gave in to her demands.

Malinda went over to get Corel, which took a lot more time than Danial thought was possible. However, Malinda did end up coming with Corel, who was rocking a black suit with 12 gold buttons and a red armband.

"You called for me?"

"Yes, we need your opinion on a subject," Malinda said.

"Well ask away," Corel replied. Malinda gave him the letter they received. Corel read it and realized what it was about.

"The minister and knight commander is asking for permission to inform Kant, as they view it to be best. While Danial says that we should give them permission now, I want to wait on it a lot more."

"So what do you think Corel?" Danial asked.

"Hm... I think it might be best for everyone, for you both and the citizens respectively, rather not to inform Kant."

"What?" Danial said, shocked at his friend's response.

"Listen, Dan, for all the great progress your son might have made, it has only been a month. So I am going to have to agree with your wife here that it is best if we don't tell him of your disease, even if you are getting better.

Besides, he already has a lot on his plate; learned that there will be a demonic wave soon after only a month of change, and not cracking up must have been really difficult.

Do you really want to add more pressure on him, Danial? Do you really want your child to go back to his old self?" Corel replied.

"But he needs to learn, to be stronger, to be a man again. I know he can handle it!" Danial rebutted.

"And he is already doing that by bearing the burden of knowing powerful demons will rock the continent. Just save him the pain this time." Corel replied. Danial groaned.

"Fine. Fine," he said. Malinda and Corel smiled. The two looked at each other and nodded their head.

...

The merchants of Hoverdam kept reading the brown coffee paper that had been placed across the entire city. They were all a notice, briefing them of a new building supported by the palace called a 'Company Registrar' and it described the new legal entity called a 'Corporation'.

The merchants were all skeptical, yet intrigued by the idea. The notice tells of the date of the day of opening, that being tomorrow. Many are excited and mark the date on their calendar, and other richer merchants tell their assistants to remind them to make a visit.