conversations
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|---|
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: \"Would’ve had to bring down the whole island, maybe, or crush you with the drawbridge… I probably didn’t even have ten more ideas up my sleeve. And no clue if any of ’em would’ve worked,\" Al said softly. \"hhh…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hornet: The Hornet, her eyes clouded by the bloodred tears, was afraid of him. She understood that this was no lie, this talk of ways of winning that he hadn’t tried. Even if the poison hadn’t been available, Al had still had ways of killing her. The Hornet would never get to realize her dreams of entertaining herself with murderous contests. The moment she had chosen to fight Al to the death, that possibility had winked out of existence."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hornet: Chewing over that reality, the Hornet discovered her own sort of acceptance within the agony; whoever won, whoever survived, was stronger. It was a very Volakian way of acknowledging one’s defeat. And so finally, she crawled up to Al. \"Al… Sweetie… Finish me…off…\" She begged him to finish what he had started with his own hand, to give her an end worthy of the Empress of the sword slaves."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: Al winced. And then… \"What, ya want me to at least deal the final blow? Hey, I get it, but…\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hornet: \"Ah…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: \"But you never know what someone might do if you get too close to them at the last moment. I’m gonna stand right here and wait for you to die.\" With his teeth, Al freed the dirty rag that had been securing his dagger in his hand and got a little more distance from the Hornet. She’d used the last of her strength to crawl forward like a potato bug, but he had denied her request to be her executioner, and the despair of that fact gripped her afresh as he stepped away. So the Empress of the sword slaves would not have the fitting end she desired—Al scratched his chin with his free hand as he contemplated the desolation this brought to her face, which had always before been full of self-assurance. Next, he scratched his head, turning a look of pity upon his acquaintance, who could no longer hear him. \"I told ya, Hornet. I said it’d be boring to fight me.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: Once the drawbridge was lowered and the troops on the far shore came across, defeat was assured. Although, it should be said that defeat was largely accomplished the moment the voice of the young girl on the announcement system revealed the plotters’ true intentions. The Divine Generals and the rest of the relief troops found themselves handling a simple mop-up operation. And it was going quite well… \"Heeey, Arakiya. Old Gramps won’t let you get away with this—a strange man so much older than you! How much older is he anyway? Can’t keep him around—I suppose we’ll just have to kill him.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arakiya: “…What are you talking about?” Arakiya asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: \"Gah-ha-ha-ha-ha! This is just how old men talk. You don’t think it’s funny? Oh… You don’t."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Orbart Dankelken: \"Right, right, it’s not a pretty sight when an old man does that sort of thing. My mistake, my mistake.\" The source of the raucous laughter was a diminutive, white-haired old man—Orbart Dankelken."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arakiya: Arakiya was somewhat bemused by the behavior of the man who claimed to be number Three of the Nine Divine Generals."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: Al, who had been hauled in front of the old guy, was even more confused. Al was exhausted through and through; he wanted nothing more than to fling himself down somewhere and go to sleep. Of course, he wouldn’t say that to Orbart if it killed him (literally)."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Orbart Dankelken: \"You’re the one, aren’t you? You helped lower the bridge. You were a big help. Especially seeing as if I didn’t get this all squared away in a hurry, His Excellency would’ve killed me.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: Al’s instincts were warning him urgently that despite the old man’s comical demeanor, his power was even greater than that of the Hornet, whom Al had only escaped after hundreds and hundreds of attempts. Al had definitely considered the Hornet the third or fourth most powerful person he’d encountered in his life—but that ranking was quickly changing."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Orbart: \"The world’s a big place…but this little island has been enough for me.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Orbart: \"No worldly desires, is that it? You’re…well, not quite young enough to be called a youngster, I guess. Though, most people are youngsters from my perspective! And young people are supposed to have dreams, aren’t they?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: \"Dreams, huh? Already had myself a good one.\" Al glances at Arakiya, who stood beside the venerable man. He reached out and patted her head, with its dusty silver hair. Arakiya still looked a bit confused, but she accepted his gesture."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: \"I dreamed I was able to protect a beautiful, silver-haired young lady. It was the thing I had to do in all my lives.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Orbart: \"Hey now, are you serious? I won’t let you have Arakiya, y’know. That’s a dream too far!\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: \"I’m fond of her. That don’t mean I’m romantically interested. Silver hair’s my one dealbreaker.\" Al pulled his hand back as he tried to placate Orbart’s simple wariness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: \"Um… This ugly brute. What will happen to him?\" Arakiya, more or less divorced from their conversation, looked at Orbart"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Orbart: \"Those piercing words! And she doesn’t even mean anything by them! My heart…\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Orbart: \"Him? Nothing. If he wants a reward, I’ll give him one if my authority can make it happen. And if he wants to get out of here, I think he’s earned it.\" Orbart glanced over at Al."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: Al nodded at Orbart just the same."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: \"That’s right. I don’t need anything. Got no plans to leave here, either. If I had to pick something, I’d just ask that there was still a here to be.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Orbart: \"Don’t think you need to worry about that. The empire’s got no shortage of villains, and this little episode just got us a whole heap of new criminals. We’ll replenish the numbers here in no time! Gah-hah-hah-hah!\" Orbart guffawed again, pounding Al on the shoulder. Then the old man turned to leave, and Arakiya was about to follow him."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: \"Thank you.\" She didn’t turn all the way around—just turned her head to look at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: Al just shrugged at that. \"Douitashimashite, kid.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: \"...I don’t know what that means.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: \"That’s all the thanks I need. Full marks. Oh man, I’m getting goose bumps… Have a long life, kid.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: Arakiya knit her brow for a second, but then she nodded, and this time, she did follow Orbart off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: Al watched her go, then gave a great stretch."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: The uprising on the sword-slave island had been quelled, and most of the people he knew, including the Hornet, were dead. There was just one exception—rumor had it that the chief culprit, Ubirk, was gone without a trace. A bit of a surprise considering his plan had supposedly encompassed not only Ginonhive, but also rebellions all over the empire that were only a prelude to the ultimate murder of the emperor. Well, the emperor was still kicking, and Al told himself that Ubirk was probably fish food or something. A fitting fate for a worthless, stupid fugitive who had no right to be screwing around with the destinies of others. “Huh. Guess I changed that Arakiya girl’s destiny, though.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: Because of him, Arakiya would live on, maybe find someone, have kids, have grandkids and great grandkids. Maybe a whole new family line would spring from her. That could revolutionize the world in unimaginable ways. It might turn out to be one of the few marks Al had left on the world. “I can just imagine how badly my teacher would beat me if I started talking like that.” Al said, scratching his head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: Al turned to go back into the sword-slave island. No matter who was no longer there, no matter if no one wanted him, this was his place. The one place his existence was permitted, a paradise for black sheep like him. “‘Headless soldiers,’ huh…,” Al mumbled, suddenly recalling the voice he’d heard over the announcement system."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: “Headless soldiers” had been the girl’s contemptuous description of the sword slaves who had risen up in armed rebellion thoughtlessly—but Al wasn’t so different from them. She’d told the fools to get their heads back. “A cruel woman, her.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: Confronting people with the truth wasn’t always enough to save those who lived in lies. Shivering at that bloodred declaration, lacking every hint of kindness, Al licked his dried-out lips. If he hoped for anything, it was that he and the owner of that arrogant voice would never meet as long as he lived."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: \"In a way, I rather enjoyed myself on this little excursion. Allow me to thank you on behalf of my husband.\" Priscilla said, her arrogance undiminished, as they sat in the parlor of the Pendleton mansion. She brought a cup to her lips as she spoke."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serena: \"As your host, it is a burden off my shoulders to hear you say that. And speaking of your husband, I don’t believe I see him. Where might he be?\" Serena smiled and accepted Priscilla’s expression of gratitude."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: \"He’s been indisposed in the days since our trip. Overstimulated. He’s a weakling, you see.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serena: \"If what Miles and Balleroy told me is true, I can’t blame the count for feeling overwhelmed. But in any case, I’m glad to hear that he’s safe.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: Priscilla smiled quietly; such decency was unexpected from the Scorching Lady, known for the depths of her brutality."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Priscilla: “It seems our new emperor can relax, despite having just assumed the throne. I will watch with great interest to see whether he can really handle the task he so eagerly took upon himself.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serena: “So you take that tone even with regards to His Majesty the Emperor. You are indeed quite something, young wife. And…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Priscilla: “And what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Serena: “It’s nothing. I owe you a debt, I’m afraid. I put you in danger.” Serena shrugged. She was referring to how Priscilla had assumed Serena’s identity—and the danger that went with it—on the sword-slave island."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serena: “I don’t like owing people. I want to repay my debt as quickly as possible. Is there anything you want? Aside from my subordinates, whom I’m afraid I can’t part with…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “Don’t make me repeat myself. If I desired your lackeys for myself, I would not bother to ask for your permission. They would come to me of their own accord.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serena: “Is that so? A frightening prospect in itself. Very well. This debt is to remain, then?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “For the time being, yes.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Serena: Serena frowned and looked at Priscilla, who noticed again the white sword scar that ran along the left side of the woman’s face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: Priscilla winked her own left eye but looked squarely back at the high countess."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Priscilla: “One day, I will call in this favor you owe me.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Scorching Lady: \"In the meantime, you may savor the anticipation of when and how that will be.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Scorching Lady: “Heh. It seems I’ve incurred quite a serious debt indeed.” The girl before her was so young and yet so lovely. The Scorching Lady could only swallow at the prospect of one day having to make good on this obligation. She let out a sigh."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Scorching Lady: “Here, Aldeberan, take this.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: “I told you not to call me that.” The cuffs—purely for formality’s sake—were removed, and he was handed his liuyedao instead. The conversation was practically a ritual by now, but Al was sharing it not with that rare person on the sword-slave island whom he had permitted into his heart, but rather with the sour guard who had replaced the dead man. He still missed the deceased Orlan sometimes. Maybe part of his motivation for taking on the Hornet had been some measure of revenge, trying to make up for what had happened."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: “Heh. Yeah, right… The assassination attempt on the emperor failed, we got a whole bunch of new faces on the island, and life here goes on as usual. Not a lot of difference in the grand scheme of things.” Everything changed; nothing lasted. Not Ubirk’s sedition, not the Hornet’s evil, not the sword slaves’ fervent wishes, nor Arakiya’s loyalty, nor Orbart’s cunning. Not even Orlan’s death. Everything would fade in time. The ants could wail and cry, but they couldn’t stop the river’s flow. The rebellion on the island had brought this realization home to Al."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: The thought was still in his mind as he stepped into the arena, greeted by the wild shouting of the crowd. As his opponent for today’s death match emerged from the opposite tunnel, Al’s eyes went wide. \"Gajeet? So you made it, too, huh? I thought for sure you were dead.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gajeet: “Hey, so did I. But I survived and damned if I know how. Karma or something, I guess. Maybe it’s the same thing that means one of us is gonna die here today.” It was the saber wielder with the half-shaved head. Al had heard he was one of the first on board with the rebellion, but he must have done something to gain clemency, because here he was. And here Al was, facing off with him in a fight to the death. Everything changed. Nothing lasted. Nothing in the world. Not the world itself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: “Let’s have at it, then. No hard feelings, eh, Gajeet?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gajeet: “Yeah, sure. We’re sword slaves till we die. Even the Hornet eventually bit the dust. So will we one day.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: Al didn’t respond to that. Instead, as Gajeet readied his saber, Al took up a fighting stance, preparing to let his liuyedao have the last word. Everybody died. Everyone was going to die. It was something no one could escape."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Al: “At least for now,” he muttered. The frenzy of the crowd intensified, and a gong announced the start of the match."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gajeet: Gajeet crouches low and charges in, Al racing to meet him. Gajeet wanted to chop his head off."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Al: Al would just have to chop Gajeet’s head off first. It was how it always went."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gajeet: \"An unlucky star.\" That was all there was to it."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Jorah: Survival of the fittest; the strong consume the weak; rich nation, powerful soldiers—such were the ideals that permeated the Empire of Volakia. There was scant place for a man with only his earnestness to recommend him. In short, Jorah was the very epitome of the kind of person who was unsuited to be a member of imperial nobility. Jorah himself was well aware that he was out of step with the empire’s way of life; that was why he had, until now, lived quietly but pleasantly in the shadows, at pains not to make waves. He tackled no major challenges in his life. His job as he saw it was to safeguard the household for the next generation. Ironically, it was precisely this retiring attitude that had prevented him making a good match even until his late age. But this was a miracle that bloomed precisely because he was still alone."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: \"Are you that amused by simply staring at me?\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Jorah: Jorah’s eyes widened when the girl called out his lingering gaze. He had been stopped in his tracks by the sight of Priscilla—his wife—by the way she seemed completely absorbed in her reading, forgetting even to take a breath. Confronted by that fact, he let a finger wander to his bangs and fiddle with his hair. \"M-my apologies. I was simply so…so taken with the sight of you.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: The girl sniffed, uncrossing and recrossing her legs. “Hmph, is that so? Then I suppose you may be forgiven. People are transfixed by masterful paintings or precious gems because they contain a beauty that transcends logic. People find true beauty irresistible. How much more so might I draw the gaze?” An arrogant pronouncement if there ever was one, yet Jorah didn’t have it in him to argue with her—because in fact, she was very beautiful. Throughout the course of their conversation, her crimson eyes never so much as glanced at Jorah. They remained fixed on the book on her lap, the pages of which she turned periodically, relentlessly devouring the story within. When he thought about it, Jorah realized the young woman seemed to be reading a book every time he saw her. That must have been the wellspring of her overflowing knowledge: the piles and piles of books she had read in the course of her life. In other words, reading was something she found essential to storing up knowledge, carrying her to higher and higher places, raising and refining her very existence. In a word, it helped her come closer to her completion. She’d said it was the way of people to be enraptured by beautiful things, even if it seemed irrational. If she was right, then that was surely why Jorah had welcomed her as his wife, why he found he couldn’t take his eyes off her. Most likely, too, it explained why he seemed to be at her beck and call, why he wished to indulge her every whim. It explained everything. And thus…"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Jorah: Priscilla."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Jorah: \"Though it’s been all too brief, the time I’ve spent with you has been perhaps the happiest in my life.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: Priscilla did not respond immediately."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Jorah: \"I am a cowardly man. To this point, I have used up the good fortune I was born with. Carefully, taking it a bit at a time, as if with a teaspoon. However…\" Having gotten that far, Jorah became lost for words. Not because he hadn’t thought this far ahead or because his confidence had once again deserted him. Nothing so negative as that. No, the reason was quite simple."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: Priscilla was looking not at the book, but at him. Her crimson eyes, as beautiful as rubies, were fixed upon Jorah. Without a word, they urged him to continue, and he swallowed heavily. As ridiculous as it might sound, that was the first time he sensed—truly knew—that the girl before him, Priscilla, had given him words to say. A part to play as a main character in her life despite being a small man, a trivial man. Thus, he was proud of himself for feeling no quiver in his heart. Not even when the shout came from outside his door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Guard: \"Count Jorah Pendleton! You’re under arrest on charges of treason!\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: Soldiers in golden armor surrounded the mansion of Count Jorah Pendleton."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: The troops with their golden armor felt no unity, not a shred of cohesion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: In a unit where people measured each other’s humanity in terms of their chosen weapons, it was impossible to keep the peace."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: It was something more obvious, more concrete. Namely: power."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Soldier: \"The troops are in position, General Ralphone.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: \"Mm, good. Everyone, fall back!\" Goz dipped his chin meaningfully."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: The troops surrounding the mansion, Goz not least among them, carried themselves soberly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: Goz closed his eyes briefly in a moment of genuine pity, but he swiftly shook his head, sweeping the feeling away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: He straightened up to his full, imposing height and stepped forward from the line of his troops. He sucked in a deep breath and bellowed, \"Count Jorah Pendleton! You’re under arrest on charges of treason!\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: With that, gold-clad troops broke down the front door."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: \"And so we strike!\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Goz Ralphone: No sooner had the golden troops entered the home than a furious clash of swords resounded from within."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz: Evidently, Count Pendleton had readied his household troops, and battle was joined."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Goz: \"I’ve no intention of giving you much time,” Goz picked up his own favored weapon, which had been waiting at his side. It was a manner of what was called a mace—a long, two-handed shaft with a large, round metal ball on the end. He hefted it easily, though it must have weighed over two hundred pounds; then in one great leap, he jumped over the heads of his soldiers, landing in front of them and lashing out with his weapon, the mace sweeping away the enemies who blocked his path."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz: \"Stand down! We are here on His Excellency’s orders. Any who stand in our way will be considered traitors along with Count Jorah Pendleton!” His voice, loud enough to shake the air, sent fear through the count’s troops."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jorah: Footsteps sounded at the top of the stairs connecting the great hall just beyond the entranceway to the second floor, and then a slim figure appeared. \"Goodness. I never expected you to come personally, General Ralphone. Well, this is troubling…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz: Goz looked up and furrowed his bushy eyebrows. He knew that man—it was none other than the very person he had come for. \"Count Pendleton. How good of you to show yourself.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jorah: \"I know how people see me, but I am still a noble of the Volakian Empire, even if not much of one. I wouldn’t wish people to say that I left my underlings to do all the work while I hid quivering behind them. Although…the part about quivering may be true.” Jorah gave a thin smile."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz: \"You’ve had some change of heart, then? I would be most interested to know what has motivated this.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jorah: \"With one of the Nine Divine Generals looming over me, I’m apt to tell you anything you want to know. I am…a weak man. I have to be constantly working myself up to face things.” He bit his lip, his voice trembling. One of his soldiers knelt beside him and respectfully held up a sword. Jorah took it and drew it slowly from the scabbard."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz: \"I must warn you that so long as you have a weapon in your hand, I will not hold back.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jorah: \"Th-that’s fine. The moment I chose this path, I knew it would come to this… I’ve already said my farewells to my wife.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Goz: \"…Is that so? Then there is no further need for words.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Goz: Goz nodded firmly at Jorah, who looked straight at him. Then he made sure he had a firm grip on his mace, and he shouted, both to fire the passions of his own soldiers and to break the will of the enemy: \"I am Goz Ralphone, of the Nine Divine Generals of the Empire of Volakia! By His Excellency’s command, I will root out any who would threaten the empire from within!\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Jorah: \"I am Jorah Pendleton, count of the Empire of Volakia, and for my wife’s sake, with this feeble arm, I shall resist you.\""
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: Arakiya held a pathetic twig she’d just plucked off the tree, and she fixed her single eye on Priscilla, her lips trembling. “Lady Prisca…,” she said, using Priscilla’s other name."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: Priscilla exhaled quietly at the ancient moniker, a name she’d already abandoned. “It’s hard to escape the irony that it should be you appearing before me at this moment.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: “Princess. I—”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “Betrayed me and joined my brother. And it’s brought you this opportunity to finish me off with your own hands. What do you have to say for yourself?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: “N-no, I didn’t! I never…!” Though the young woman normally showed so little emotion, Priscilla’s merciless assault still made her face twist in alarm. “Then just like now… Princess, for you, I…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: Priscilla didn’t speak."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: “Today… Today, it’s the same. Master Vincent said to me…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “Fool. You mistake your form of address. My older brother is now the emperor of Volakia, and if you are a soldier of the empire, then you had best remember it. For—” Priscilla paused and crossed her arms. Then she stared down the other girl with her almond-shaped eyes and let her lips curl provocatively. “No… In truth, my brother has not gained the right to call himself emperor of Volakia.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: “Oh…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “Prisca Benedict is dead. My brother alone survives of all the candidates who participated in the Rite of Imperial Selection. Except my existence threatens that entire story, doesn’t it?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: “Lady…Prisca…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “And get my name right while you’re at it. I’m Priscilla now. Priscilla Pendleton—my token of respect for my husband’s last act of service. I must insist you not mistake this, Arakiya.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: “Pri…scilla…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “I grant it’s merely a bit of playing with sounds. Wherever and in whatever circumstances I may be, I shall always be myself. As much of a headache as that might be for my elder brother.” Priscilla winked at the girl, the one she called Arakiya, and then sniffed."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: Arakiya straightened her small shoulders. “Prisca or Priscilla… The princess is my princess. Come with me."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: \"Master Vincent…I mean, His Excellency would speak with you. So…”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “I’m afraid I don’t follow. He wants me to return now? To what end? My brother is the emperor, and he cannot abide my continued existence. If, in spite of that, he commands me to return to the capital…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Priscilla: \"Yes? If so…then what?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “It’s as good as declaring that he intends to seek my life once more.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: “Oh…” Arakiya’s words were almost casual, but they left Arakiya shocked. Arakiya looked at her milk sister and realized it was true that Vincent hadn’t explained the niceties of his orders. But it had been enough for Priscilla to guess what he was thinking. Why had he sent Arakiya to find her at this moment?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “The fact that he sent you to me was, in his own way, an act of love.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: “What…?”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “Yes. Familial affection. My older brother does love me. And I have considerable fondness for him as well. But that is a separate matter from our respective positions. This time, my brother must kill me. And therefore…”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Priscilla: “? !” Priscilla’s voice dropped on that last word, and then Arakiya’s eyes widened, her small body flying backward. The reason was clear: a red flash. A sweep, a beautiful and a cruel strike that, had it connected with Arakiya’s neck, would have seen her burned to cinders on the spot. The source of the blow was a ruby-red blade that was suddenly in Priscilla’s hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arakiya: “The Bright Sword, Volakia…,”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Priscilla: “It must be most inconvenient for my brother that there are two of us who can wield this weapon. I doubt he has any need for such musty symbols of power, but without them, he would never be able to keep the likes of Belstetz in line.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arakiya: “Princess, put your sword away, and—”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Priscilla: “Still, you urge surrender upon me? Then you leave me no choice but to carve my own path with this gleam in my hand.” The sword was too large for a girl who had not yet finished growing and too grand. But Priscilla burst with the confidence to use it freely and the competence to actually do so."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “Go, Princess.”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: Arakiya lowered the twig she clutched in her hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: “Hoh?” Priscilla breathes and closes an eye in amusement, taking the wind out of her sails. “Are you not defying the emperor’s personal orders?”"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: “But Master Vincent…His Excellency bade me come here.”"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arakiya: Arakiya, perceiving what she judged to be the true intent behind Vincent’s orders, made her decision. Perhaps she was right, or perhaps it was simply an interpretation of those orders that was convenient to her personal wishes. Either way, it was a perceptible change in Arakiya, who had always before been loyal to the letter of what she was told. When Priscilla saw that, she returned the Bright Sword to the air, where it disappeared."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: “My princess…is the princess. But if Lady Prisca is dead…then this is the last. I beg you."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: \"Don’t draw attention to yourself anymore. Like with the broadcast…on the sword-slave island…\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Priscilla: \"Ah, but that was my own expression of love for my brother. With the resolution of matters on the island, he could keep his defenders at home in the capital.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Priscilla: In any case, ultimately, it had only been a matter of time before Priscilla’s hiding place would have been discovered. She was a woman fundamentally unsuited to lying low somewhere and watching the world pass her by. Even her days with Jorah had been merely a detour—although, unexpectedly, not an unpleasant one. Pleasant enough, at least, that she had lost her resistance to using the name Priscilla Pendleton. \"Arakiya, I am grateful to you. But the next time we meet, you had best have your resolve set.\""
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arakiya: \"…I hope we don’t meet. Ever again.\""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Priscilla: \"But we shall. At least, I believe so.\" With that, Priscilla smiled—and at the same moment, there came a huge explosion from the direction she’d come, the direction of the mansion. The battle seemed to have reached some sort of climax."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arakiya: Arakiya glanced toward the sound for a bare instant, but her attention swiftly returned to what was in front of her eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: \"Princess…\" …by the time she turned back, Priscilla was already gone. Arakiya looked everywhere, but she knew Priscilla was not so careless as to be found that easily. She was, after all, Arakiya’s own milk sibling, and the Volakian emperor’s only living relative… \"…I’m begging you…\" Arakiya dearly wished Priscilla would go away, as far away as possible, and live out her life. That she would forget about the brutal war of succession in the empire and go on as just another girl, living in some distant place. But despite her wishes, Arakiya knew the truth. \"It’s absolutely…impossible.\" The young woman, Prisca Benedict, would never endure that way of life. Sometime in the future, another day would come when, like today, Arakiya was brought face-to-face with her princess. When that day came, what, if anything, would she be able to do with Priscilla, or Prisca? Set your resolve. That was what she had been told. And yet… \"Lady Prisca… You big dummy…\" And yet for the moment, that single murmur was all she could manage."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Arakiya: That, at least, was the testimony of one Arakiya, who would later become one of the Nine Divine Generals of the Volakian Empire."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Arakiya: Thus, there were no fugitives. No one to threaten the swordwolf nation. The peace of the empire was secure. No shadow would fall upon it. It would continue to carry on into the future."
}
] |
Subsets and Splits