So Far Like a Monarch [Erchanhardt, Helle]

In all likelihood, Erchanhardt knew that it was a potential political nightmare for him to be traveling to the City of Lights. His claim to the throne had been backed by Vastime, after all, and he knew that this was hardly a place friendly to them. But the reality of the matter was that Vastime was slowly becoming unstable without its king there to lead it, and with its queen suddenly more and more distant by the day. Perhaps the circumstances had been unavoidable, but that did not suddenly change that he needed to face the reality of the situation.

If the Vandenreich chose to move, they would not be opposed by anyone who could genuinely stop them. For the good of his own people, Erchanhardt would not stand in their way. He knew of their aims, their desire to protect the peace on Earth and to cut off travel between the realms. The former was a matter with which he agreed, but the latter was one toward which he was far more ambivalent. He was old, after all, and he remembered those days when things had been far simpler. Yet some of those he held most dear in his heart were not from this world. Could he, in good faith, deny others the opportunity for such happiness?

Well, there would be time for those musings later.

"Emperor Erchanhardt Burgstaller von Konigsberg, to see Director Helle Armstrong."

Despite his remarkable title, and his statuesque presence, Erchanhardt had arrived with little fanfare. He had no entourage, and he wore no kingly garb, merely a crisp suit with only his imperial crest on the lapel to mark his position. He may as well have simply been a quite large man as he was escorted to the director's office, and he knocked on the door firmly, yet with the respect due to one of her station. After all, he had no authority here.

Of course, Erchanhardt wasn't one to particularly judge another based on something such as their office. His own was immaculate, but he knew that few had the same mentality as he did toward these things. No, his attention was only on the Director of the Sternritter herself, considering it was with her that he had business this day.

"The city is beautiful, certainly. I would certainly say as much to any who asked me of where they ought to travel. But I hope you do not mind if I skip over the typical pleasantries of a royal visitation. I do not wish to waste your time, as I have no doubt that your position is one with far better things to do than hosting diplomatic meetings."

Erchanhardt had no illusions as to his importance in the grand scheme of things. It would have been foolish of him to simply act as though his role as Emperor of a single nation granted him some tremendous right over others. Then again, perhaps that was not something other leaders tended to take into consideration. No matter.

"I have come to discuss the activity of the Sternritter within my borders, Director Armstrong. It is no secret that my nation has maintained a strong relationship with Vastime since the war, and I thank you for not simply treating me as an enemy. But I suspect you know as well as I that Vastime has become unstable in recent times, and their government, without their king, is not one I wish to associate with. I would like to formally open the Holy Roman Empire's borders to your people, though you understand the delicate political position I am put in if I offer any assistance beyond that."

"I would hardly think of it as 'taking' much of anything. It is not as if I am handing over my lands to you or anything of the like. You are simply doing your duty in one more corner of the world, and I will ensure that your people are able to move freely among my lands, and through Europe at large if necessary. I will, additionally, provide any information necessary to you."

It was naturally appreciated that Director Armstrong would ask after such a thing, of course. Erchanhardt knew well that she was the one with the leverage in this situation, and he had little that he could offer her in turn. He was simply a king asking for outside assistance in protecting his realm.

"There is only one thing I would ask of you, though I would ask that such things not leave this room for the sake of security. I am aware that the Duvalier Group currently does business here in the City of Lights. Given it a financial matter, I of course understand if you are not willing to share anything regarding them, but I would quite appreciate any surveillance you happen to have regarding them."

That was to be expected, of course. Erchanhardt would frankly have reconsidered any diplomatic relations with the Vandenreich if Director Armstrong had handed over information of that importance so freely. But it was in his nature to broach topics such as this more naturally than to simply give an obvious warning.

"Her company is one that I believe has ties to a handful of illicit activities through Europe, and perhaps through the world as a whole. But it is a trail which moves remarkably neatly, and I have no hard proof at the moment. Since she moved into Italy, however, I have found that the nation's whole government is rather neatly in the Duvalier Group's pocket. It is only natural that I remain cautious of anyone such as that, particularly when they have become so overwhelmingly present in world affairs."

Erchanhardt did not fear the Duvalier Group, nor what they might do to him. After all, he could have handled anything such a woman might pay to have sent at him. No, the issue was what she could do to those in his care, and beyond that, to the world as a whole.

"You are quite right, of course. I would not wish to idle on such topics of conversation overlong, for they are hardly fruitful. If any further information comes to my attention, I will have it brought here, whether by myself personally or by one of my Reichsritter."

Most might have wished to continue the conversation, but Erchanhardt did rather genuinely see it as fruitless for the both of them if it were to continue. After all, there was little more to be said for either of them. He was quite certain that further intelligence would be found soon, and until then, it was not worth lingering on the matter.

"If I may, I wish to discuss with you more abstract matters of the Vandenreich's aim, and of the operations of the Sternritter. I am not concerned with diplomatic retaliation by Vastime if I am to allow you travel within my borders, naturally. But I am familiar enough with your goals, and with those of the Gotei United, to know that your peace seems built on matters of convenience rather than genuine agreeance. I would not deign to tell you what you may or may not think. My only request is that you cooperate peacefully with the Gotei in my borders."

It was something that might almost have seemed accusatory, but Erchanhardt did not particularly mean it that way, nor did he say it in such a way. It was, rather, a very genuine request, and one born of something other than distrust in the Vandenreich.

"I believe that Vastime's greatest failing was an inability to accept the role of outsiders in their world. Despite their disagreeance with your outlook, they were quite insular, and now there is little anyone on the outside can do to assist. I do not wish to condemn my people to the same fate should some sudden ill fortune befall me. I have seen your organization's outreach, your willingness to accept those from all peoples and all walks of life, and I consider it most admirable. So long as that outlook is extended to your work within my borders, I do not think I could reasonably request much more of you."

Though Erchanhardt had said all of this as merely his way of prefacing a request, he would have been almost disappointed if Helle did not engage with the points that he had made, if she simply left the conversation unaddressed. He wished to know what sort of woman controlled these Sternritter.