The Wolf and the Man [Erchanhardt, Illya]

"Long time no see, old man! You look well."

One might ask how a stranger like this was able to pass all the security and infrastructure to get to the point of occupying the same space as the Emperor himself. It started like this, he fumbled his way around looking for someone to direct him to Erchanhardt. They knew he was not from here by the fact he lacked all formalities in referring to him but the description told them everything they needed to determine who this Erchanhardt was. A giant of a man that could fell armies with his hands!

While the first time he approached he was knocked back. He was lucky enough to get someone who said he looked familiar before discerning him to be the man with that name. The Wolf of Munich. After that, there was no more barriers and so he found himself escorted to walk in and give the old friend the greeting he had. He looked well, if not rugged from a man who lived on the road.

"As do you, Illya. And certainly quite fortunate that you have greeted me here at the Imperial home, rather than in public where I might need to chastise your lack of decorum."

With a smile, Erchanhardt extended a hand to greet the man who had assisted him with their saving of Europe. It had been a long while since he'd seen Illya, and frankly it was almost surprising to see him return so suddenly. Then again, he'd always been something of a wanderer. A more unflattering term might have been "vagrant," but Erchanhardt wouldn't necessarily use such a term when so many of those close to him fit the description.

"And what brings you here to Konigsberg, I wonder?"

"You think so? I think I've become a bit softer since you saw me last, punch me and I'm sure I'll feel it more than I would back then."

He really ought to throw himself back onto the steppe or something to get himself moving. Part of that is why he so candidly sought the other man out. One of these days Illya did want to topple Nazariy and he wasn't going to make that by just travelling and doing light work. It was stuff like the hard life out in the plains or fighting alongside Erchanhardt that saw the most growth for him.

Whether the old man throught to give him a good punch for his lack of manners and comments or not. He did ask a question and Illya would provide an answer.

"I've come to see if you've got anything you want done. We fought together a lot in those battles for this land. I've got a break in my travels where I find it starting to drag, something a bit more to speed might ease the niggling sensation of stagnation I've had lately."

"Oh, I only said that you looked well, Illya. But between the two of us, I think I have certainly grown far softer. Between my time on the thrown, and life as a husband and soon a father, I have hardly had the time to stay on top of things. Not that my dear empress would be too fond of it if I did go throwing myself further into danger."

Even so, Erchanhardt wasn't one to ignore a challenge such as that, lighthearted though it may have been. They were both men of action, and so he offered a jab to Illya's shoulder, gentle only by the standards of a man as titanic as the emperor. Still, it wasn't intended to kill the man, just remind him of the difference between them.

"Anything I want done, hm? Well, the princess is currently traveling on my behalf, and while I would typically have assigned a Reichsritter to aid her, the first of my Reichsritter is currently on a medical leave. If you wish to be of assistance, I am certain Adalwolfa would appreciate your company."

His eyes widened as he bore the brunt of the man's punch. Yep, definitely a bit on the softer side as he remembered. For both of them. He was a stoic man though and not one to complain or do much more than wince from the power that made its way through his shoulder.

Wouldn't be swinging with that arm for a day regardless.

"Sounds like there's been much happen in your life since you laid down roots here. Commendations are in order for all the good fortune you've sowed for yourself."

The request made his hand come up to his chin. He didn't recall meeting too much with her. It was quite the troubled times though so they went by in quite a haze in his memory. Ah well, it was not the request he had in mind for watching a princess but maybe she'd attract the unsavoury sorts or situations that would let him rub the rust off his skills.

"Guard duty, eh. Not what I was expecting but with a lot more weight, huh. Anyway I can protect her from dangers and bleed in her place in necessary. I need only find the lady and it'll be done. Can't say I'm much of a diplomat though so protection's all I'm good for, unless a bit of the ol' rough treatment is still used in politics around these parts."

He finished with a laugh. There were some good memories among the troubled times.

"I know it is a bit outside your usual expertise, but consider it a way of expanding your repertoire of skills. Besides, it would be good to learn a little more about bodyguard work, I imagine. The hetman would likely appreciate someone with such capabilities."

He had interacted with the Cossacks enough to know that the hetman was hardly a woman who would be fighting herself in any battle, though that was no slight against her. It was simply a fact that she required those of a more physical inclination to protect her.

"I imagine that Adalwolfa will look forward to having a partner with whom she can train in earnest. And, if a bit of rough behavior becomes necessary, then I can certainly imagine it will do well to maintain the propriety of the princess by having someone else to handle it, hm?"

Yeah, something like that made sense. It would be a while before he settled back down there he thought. There was still a bit of an itch to scratch with his fickle wanderlust, while his roots were set there after they took him in so graciously he didn't want to settle until he found the black-haired woman that saved his life as a kid and thanked her. Even now her face was a bit vague, hopefully something would jog his memory on these travels.

Unlikely to just run into her in this expansive world.

"Fair enough, ever the astute old dog, aren't you, eh?"

He chuckled to himself at the thoughtfulness his old friend put into it in such a short span of time. That must be the wisdom of age showing, something he still had to work on himself. That still didn't answer the question of how he'd find her but Illya wasn't in a rush. What was the chance that she needed a lapdog to help her out so suddenly? That would be an unfortunate twist of fate. Maybe he could meet the lady that had wooed the emperor in the time, or he could invite the man out for a little hunting trip to make up for lost time.

"One can hardly afford to be emperor without staying mindful, after all."

Snap decisions, ones which would influence countless lives, were simply par for the course in the role of emperor. Erchanhardt did not mind that weight on his shoulders, of course, for he knew that he had taken that responsibility on himself.

"Currently, she has been on a diplomatic trip to the City of Lights, but I suspect she will be leaving soon enough, seeing as many of the affairs there have been finished. If you wish to meet up with her, she will be traveling to China in three days. Are you aware of the situation there already?"

If he was, then Erchanhardt certainly didn't need to elaborate further. If he wasn't, it was a simple enough explanation.

Cross to China in three days. That's quite the walk, he might have to secure himself a means of travel that wasn't his preference of going on foot. Such is the nature of it though. He was sure that it could easily be arranged.

"I might need one of your iron sky boats to make the journey in that time but it can be done. As for China, no, I cannot say I've been following it. What is the news out of there?"

He didn't keep track of international affairs, they weren't often relevant to a man that made his way like he was.

"Of course. I can have a plane chartered for you as soon as you are ready to depart."

Having dealt with Illya long enough, Erchanhardt didn't stumble for even a moment wondering what it was that the man was referring to. Those out in the steppe always seemed to come from a different time, a time the emperor himself remembered with a certain fondness. Perhaps that was why he and Illya had always gotten on so well.

"As for China, the government recently fell into disarray. Some conflict arose with the Vandenreich, I gather, but for now the situation has settled into peace. Whether that peace is easy or uneasy, however, is a matter that I would struggle to answer confidently looking in from the outside. If anywhere on Earth is seeing sudden turmoil, however, then it is my duty as emperor to know whether or not that nation may one day be a threat to my subjects."