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Juno Beelzenia was the Empress of the Beelzenian Empire. Following a serious famine, the empress took control of the Conchita province from Duke Muzuri Conchita due to his poor management. Using the Conchita Family to suit her own political agenda for years, Juno ended up becoming close to Muzuri's only daughter, Banica.

History[]

Early Life[]

Born in the Beelzenian Empire during the third century EC, Juno lived in the imperial palace in Rucolebeni; during her youth, she met Elluka Clockworker and learned about the mage's long history with her family.[1] When a region in the empire began suffering a drought, she saw Elluka sacrifice a Ziz Tiama in a ritual to summon rain to the province.[2] Over the years, the young Juno also witnessed her refuse the Emperor's repeated requests she serve the imperial family. Following the Emperor's death, Juno succeeded him as the new Empress.[1]

In anticipation of the birth of Duke Muzuri Conchita's child in November of EC 296, Empress Juno sent a shield and sword as gifts to the Duke. Following a famine afflicting the Empire in the summer of EC 306, Juno began dealing with the food shortage in Beelzenia. When Muzuri requested her aid to relieve the famine in the Conchita province in September, the busy empress refused. After the food shortage was resolved, Empress Juno learned that Muzuri had worsened the famine in his territory with heavy taxation and stripped him of his authority; around that time, she also discovered everyone in the Conchita household except for Muzuri, his daughter Banica, and the head chamberlain had died out due to the Gula Disease afflicting them the past decade.[3]

Peculiar Engagement[]

"It's about time we decide the official date for the wedding ceremony. I think around six months would be good.―Oh, and since we're going to the trouble, let's make it grand."
―Juno[src]

Pitying Banica, Juno had her live at the imperial castle for a time, trying to have her adopted into the imperial family before being met with Banica's refusal.[2] Later on, Juno began exchanging talks for a political alliance with King Charon of Marlon, offering to marry Banica to Charon's third son, Prince Carlos. After the political marriage was finalized in June of EC 311, the Empress had Banica live with the royal family in Marlon.

In February the next year, Empress Juno and several of her ministers visited the Blue Country to reaffirm their nations' alliance and formalize the engagement. Meeting with Charon at Marlon Castle's Right Palace, the two parties discussed the specifics of Beelzenia's assistance in Marlon's war with the Kingdom of Lioness for several hours, including lifting trade restrictions.

That evening, the Empress attended dinner in the castle's dining hall and ate with her ministers, the royal family, and Banica. During the meal, she chatted with Queen Milkicent and King Charon about the date and location of Banica's marriage. As she began to talk about Muzuri, a Marlon soldier interrupted and began making a report to Prince Cult; overhearing, Juno learning that the Marlons had captured a male mage serving the Lioness Lord Somi Hedgehog, reminded of her own family's connections with Elluka. Prince Cult then explained Lord Hedgehog's position as general of the second army in Lioness and that his mage could give them an edge in the war.

Cult then presented the mage's belongings, a sword and a red wine glass. Once the soldier left with the items in tow, Juno continued talking and chatting with Charon or Cult. She finally left half of her bland cuisine unfinished, making the excuse that she had no appetite. As everyone else finished, the party saw Banica suddenly steal and devour the leftovers like an animal and were frozen in horror. Afterward, the furious King Charon broke off the engagement, fearing Banica was still afflicted with Gula, and the humiliated empress accepted the decision.[4]

Gourmet Noble Banica[]

"Lord Banica has indeed become respectable."
―Duke Oruhari[src]

Juno granted Banica permission to travel abroad in January of EC 316, hoping it would make her stronger, and granted her an audience when she returned two years later. Meeting her in the imperial palace throne room, Juno chatted with Banica about how much she'd grown, noting how much larger she'd gotten, and listened to Banica describe her at times perilous travels to Elphegort, Asmodean, Levianta, Marlon, and Lioness. Afterwards, Banica's servant Pollo presented a Ziz Tiama and Banica explained that, as well as a magic tool, it was a cuisine in Levianta. She then offered to cook the octopus for Juno, who accepted.

As she allowed Banica's maid Arte to use her kitchen, Juno listened to Banica's suggestion that they open trade with Marlon to take the ziz tiama the country otherwise discarded, hearing her argument that they could buy it for a low price given the lack of seafood diversity from the waters around Beelzenia. Banica continued her appeal to adopt the octopus into Beelzenian cuisine until Arte returned with the chopped up ziz tiama in a stew. Juno cautiously tasted the "Drowning Ziz Tiama" dish and was delighted by it, agreeing to consider importing the creature.

She then had Yatski L'Opera wine to complement her dish, discussing the Elphegortean red wine with Banica. Juno was then presented with a sapling trauben tree and realized Banica wished to grow the fruit domestically for their own wine, hearing her declare she wished to make a wine superior to that of Elphehort's. Fully convinced by her resolve, the empress agreed to hear everything she learned during her travels and provide whatever assistance she required.

Afterward, Juno had the imperial government subsidize all of Banica's efforts to revitalize Beelzenia's food culture, stimulating the economy and adopting numerous new cuisines into the noble diet. Following Muzuri Conchita's death in August, EC 321, Juno nominated Banica as his successor two months later, returning jurisdiction of the Conchita's territories to the new Duke.[2] Over the years, Juno heard many reports of "Phantom Thief Platonic" stealing from the nobility.[1]

Evil Food Eater Conchita[]

In November, EC 323, Juno received Duke Oruhari's invitation to celebrate Banica's miraculous recovery from fatal illness at his mansion and readily attended later that month. As she awaited Banica's arrival and ate, Juno chatted with Oruhari about the impressive feast he had had cooked to impress Banica. she also discussed her hope to find Banica a good husband. When Banica finally arrived, Juno stared in shock at the Duke's beautiful, slender figure along with everyone else. After the main dinner was finished, she watched in disgust as the aristocrat devoured live insects for dessert.[2]

In EC 324, Juno received a report that Phantom Thief Platonic was spotted in the Conchita territory.[1] By November, the Empress began sending messengers to the Conchita Mansion requesting the Duke meet with the her in the capital, receiving no reply each time. When rumors spread of Banica's cannibalism and undead armies guarding the estate, Juno sent another messenger to summon the Duke along with twenty imperial soldiers as an escort.[5] Along with this, Juno made it difficult for people to enter the Conchita territory in order to limit the spread of the possible scandal.[6]

Over the next four months, Juno learned the unit had disappeared, hearing rumors that they turned traitor or became white monsters patrolling the mansion grounds; she also learned Asmodean seemed to be preparing their armies for full-scale war and worried Banica may have allied with Emperor Burglar Donald during her travels years priors. Fearing the high possibility Banica plotted civil war and that Asmodean would use the opportunity to invade, the Empress told the surrounding provinces to monitor the Conchita province for signs of rebellion but not invade the territory.[1]

Return of the Mage[]

"Regardless, if you had captured Platonic, you should have handed her over to the feudal lord right away. Why didn't you?"
"I'm under no obligation to do so."
―Juno and Elluka[src]

In July, Juno received a report from Duke d'Autriche that Phantom Thief Platonic had been caught in Lucifenia and that he wished to judge the infamous thief himself. Suspecting the thief may have attempted stealing from Banica almost a year ago and had valuable information, she sent an order for the thief to be escorted to the imperial palace. Three days later, in July, a surprised Juno permitted an audience between herself and Elluka Clockworker, who had arrived with the captured Phantom Thief Platonic.

As they met, she learned that Elluka had captured Platonic when she tried stealing from her and made the girl her maid as punishment. Although chastising her for not turning Platonic in immediately, Juno relented and tasked Elluka with investigating the situation with Duke Banica, allowing Platonic to accompany her. The next month, Elluka returned and reported that she found the alleged corpse soldiers ravaging the territory and no sign of Banica or her servants at her manor. Assuming the lord had fled abroad, Juno closed the investigation; when Elluka revealed she had also found a baby unattended in the manor, they determined it was Banica's son.

Although considering adopting the child herself, Juno settled for having him raised by one of her servants when faced with opposition for the idea. After publicly announcing that Duke Banica Conchita had gone missing, Juno took control of the Conchita province and soon after incorporated it as part of Beelzenia, merging Rucolebeni with the town of Gasto as a massive cityscape. Not long after, Asmodean entered full-scale war with Beelzenia as Empress Juno defended against Emperor Burglar's onslaught until her death.[1]

Legacy[]

Decades after Juno's death, Beelzenia and Asmodean exhausted themselves from their constant warring, leading to Lucifenia's independence and her Empire's swift decline.[1] Centuries later, theories of Juno's short sleeping were speculated among historians but never verified. While discussing her peculiar "Sleepless" condition, Hanne Lorre recounted the tales of Juno's sleeping habits to Margarita Blankenheim.[7]

Personality and Traits[]

"Oh? I never actually said it was Banica, now did I?"
"... My word, you're a vile woman, your Majesty."
―Juno and Duke Oruhari[src]

Juno was a firm yet benevolent woman. She acted rather gracious and courteous with her allies.[4] She was also open-minded overall; Juno firmly believed in women having equal potential to men in politics and society, certain that Beelzenia's future prosperity would require gender equality. She also had a more playful side to her, often teasing others and involving herself in any situation that caught her fancy.[2]

However, Juno still upheld herself to the responsibilities of her position and took governing the Empire very seriously. While not opposed to pardoning criminals to suit her needs, she had high expectations of those of respectable positions to observe the law and act in the interests of Beelzenia.[1] She was not without sympathy, however, as she did recognize the tragic circumstance behind Duke Muzuri's fall from grace and often looked for a good opportunity to restore his authority.[4]

While not a true socialite, she made it a point to attend gatherings she had strong personal or political investment in,[2] and absolutely loved sharing her ideas to the point of ranting if left uninterrupted. She also had a love for food,[4] and was even willing to import faraway foods that surpassed the local brands in taste. After being introduced to the Drowning Ziz Tiama dish, Juno made it a staple of her diet thereafter.[2]

Skills and Abilities[]

As Empress of the Beelzenian Empire, Juno held absolute authority over the dominion and directly controlled the Beelzenia region from the imperial capital. After the disappearance of Banica Conchita, the Conchita province was permanently added to the territories she managed. Demonstrating a great deal of political tact, Juno was extremely cautious but resolute in her policies, focusing on stabilizing her massive empire over ambitious territorial expansion.[1]

Like most in the imperial family, Juno was quite overweight and lacked much physical prowess. Despite this, she displayed an impressive vitality, known to sleep for only four hours each day.[7] Likewise, the Empress had developed rather refined tastes as a gourmet, though not as well known for her palette as Duke Muzuri.[2] On top of which, the woman possessed speech and etiquette befitting her status.[4]

Character Connections[]

Banica Conchita: One of Juno's vassals. In spite of rarely meeting her face-to-face, Juno pitied Banica in light of her tragic childhood and grew attached to her, treating her as a surrogate daughter and hoping she'd find happiness. She similarly respected her talents and new ideas as a gourmand. Although deeply concerned by her apostasy, this regard carried on to her wish to adopt Banica's abandoned child as her own.

Elluka Clockworker: A mage affiliated with Juno's family. Juno respected Elluka and was fascinated by her, although she found her capricious personality somewhat frustrating. Despite this, she also trusted her to investigate the matter with Banica in light of her previous achievements.

Trivia[]

Conceptualization and Origin[]

  • In Roman mythology, Juno is the goddess of marriage and protection of the state and childbirth.
  • Juno's name also contains the characters of the month of June, matching the naming scheme of her ancestor Maylis Beelzenia and her older siblings.
  • Her surname, Beelzenia, is a reference to Beelzebub, the patron demon of Gluttony.

Appearances[]


References[]

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