Palace guards stood outside Ariel's quarters, the hallways leading to her quarters, and every exit nearby. More guards patrolled around Valencia Palace. What happened in the throne room spread like wildfire throughout the royal castle. Nobles scrambled to contact their associates. Some wrote letters, some used [Message] scrolls. Some minor nobles whose fiefdoms were close rode fast horses or carriages straight back home.
Inside the sitting room, Ariel sat in a comfortable sofa wearing a fluffy robe. Her bare feet propped up, being messaged by a servant. Maids stood nearby, with snacks and warm towels ready.
A small fancy chest filled with platinum coins sits on a table nearby. Ariel stroked the smooth and intricate patterns carved on the chest with a happy heart. The money was enough to purchase a hamlet and live comfortably for the rest of one's life. This much is only for saving Gazef, according to the King. It was stacked so full of coins there was barely any room left for them to move around.
"How are you feeling at the moment, Lady Sanguine? Still recovering?" A pretty maid asked in her gentle voice.
"Still a little tired. Restoring the King sapped what felt like years of energy from me. Now I'm feeling like an old man."
Ariel took another sip from her crystal goblet, filled with juice freshly squeezed from rare tropical fruit. Few people could afford such luxury. Re-Estize has a rather cold climate. Magic kept the entire royal castle grounds warm like it's spring all the time, but the humidity could not be replicated.
"Dinner will be ready shortly. They will be brought to you with one word, my Lady."
Ariel started with a small salad; its vegetables harvested from the royal garden. Sliced roast beef emanated with herbal aroma. She was particularly interested in the griffon eggs. More items to be added to her list of [Create Item] spell, she thought. It was a 16-course meal made just for her. Many of the items she had never seen before.
When everyone else was dismissed after dinner, Brita was invited to enjoy some alone time over tea with her mistress.
"Have you learned much about the servants, Brita?"
"Yes, mistress. Although I do not understand why it was important to know trivial details about them."
"These people work closely around us. Unlike you, they are not loyal to me. I may have defenses against magic and monsters, but humans are crafty. They may pretend to be friendly for now only to betray you later when there is something to gain."
"If any of them crosses you, mistress, I will end their lives, even if it will cost my own."
"I appreciate the sentiment. But it is better to predict treachery and avoid it in the first place. I have learned something as I interacted with civilization. Men like to do two things with great power: control it or destroy it. I am willing to give up some control of my power in exchange for a comfortable and fulfilling life within reason. I have no doubt that some of the people in the throne room wanted a lot more than I am willing to give. You need to be an extra set of eyes and ears for me. Be suspicious of everything and everyone. Give away nothing. Pretend to be ignorant if you have to. Don't let emotion guide your actions. If the Nobles only see you as a simple guard and nothing more, that would be best."
Brita listened with rapt attention. Her mistress has never talked to her this long and on something this deep. Where has her innocence gone to? She wondered. Sometimes she thought she had to sit Ariel down and teach her about the dangers of this world, but couldn't find an opportunity. Now she doesn't think that may be necessary anymore. She has grown more fond of her mistress. Ariel played to her wariness of men. She presented herself as smart, but inexperienced. Someone who could use the protection of Brita.
"Now, if you are not too tired, I would like you to go sightseeing in the capital. An associate from an adventurer team had her… HIS sister taken by a noble. It was a long time ago. She could have been sold. I heard the capital has the biggest brothels. It's a long shot, but will you look for me?"
With the sun slowly setting, buildings cast long shadows on the streets. Some alleyways in the poorer districts were already dark with the lack of lighting.
Brita walked briskly and cautiously on a narrow street. This is the place pointed out to her by street urchins who were trying to make some quick easy money. She carried a large pouch of silver coins just for that.
It's usually dangerous for a young woman to walk alone in this part of the city. The guards are too lazy to patrol here. Brita could already sense hungry eyes on her. She has been honing her senses when she was not training, something she picked up from Brain. If she's going to protect her mistress properly, then she can't just be an ordinary swordswoman.
There is an invisible field around her constantly with the slightest concentration. She left no openings for pickpockets. She always turned her head or changed direction when one was about to strike, as if she's got eyes on the back of her head.
As she got further from the main streets, some thugs finally approached her head-on. There is no one else dressed like her. The fine clothing she wore clearly marked her as someone rich and not from around here.
"What is a cute little thing like you doing here? Are you lost, missy?" One of them with an unshaven face asked the rhetorical question.
"I'm looking for an illegal brothel frequented by the city's officials and merchants. Can you tell me where it is?" Brita knew not to expect an answer right away, but it was better to ask while they still had a clear mind.
"Look no further! The only brothel you need is in here. HAHAHAHA!" Another thug humped the air lewdly in Brita's direction.
"Thanks for your time. If you can't help me, I will look somewhere else now." Brita mocked the thugs with her polite professionalism. She tried to walk past the thugs, but the nearest one blocked her path with his arm.
She put her hand on the arm lightly and felt no tension. The ruffian was relaxed, his stance full of openings. her gentle touch was mistaken as token resistance. All of them are confident in their brute strength, expecting to overpower her easily and have a good time later.
Brita tightened her grip on the arm and spun, her hand slid roughly down the man's arm, stopping at his wrist, using the centrifugal force to jerk his arm away from him. His joints were nearly popped out from the sudden force, until they were dislocated at last when he was thrown off-balance and fell, only being held up by his wrist. His arm bent at unnatural angles, pulled down by his own weight.
The other thugs sprung into action, intending to grab Brita and subdue her. They still didn't think she was that much of a threat. Brita made a move like she was trying to back away, only lunging forward and brought her elbow up in front of a thug's face, crashing into his nose as he grabbed air behind her.
She ducked under his arm and pushed him into his friend, also using the force to launch herself past another thug. She moved like water flowing between rocks. No movement was wasted. She tripped them up using their own momentum, put her knee into their face when they tried to hug her from below. Every strike left broken bones.
When the fight was over, Brita stood next to a bunch of men groaning in pain. She did not feel tired at all. It was part of her training. Spend as little energy as possible to end the fight quickly. Always expect to be outnumbered. Help may never arrive, so she must be able to keep fighting for as long as possible. Brita felt good in fact. She has been itching for some live targets. There was no need to draw her weapons. A good body guard can use her own body as a weapon.
"You have wasted enough of my time. Answer my questions or suffer." She stomped her boot against someone's ankle, crushing it.
After she got all the information she needed, Brita killed them all with whatever weapons she could find on them, and made the scene look like a gang fight.
'No loose ends. Eliminate any potential threat utterly when the opportunity presents itself, and avoid self-implication.'
Ariel once told Brita a story about a wounded beast. It tracked down its hunter and attacked him. It didn't just eat him, but "played" with its food. These thugs were beasts on two legs to Brita. She doesn't know how long she would be in the capital, and she didn't want to bring any harm to her mistress.
Ariel saw the whole thing with remote viewing while sitting in her bed. The tracking ward she placed on Brita allows her to view her anytime she wants.
'I think it worked.' Ariel thought. 'That little story masked the fact that I planted the idea into her mind.'
Being a Trickster, a type of high-ranking Doppelganger, Ariel could put suggestions into people's heads. It was used to induce certain actions in non-friendly NPC's, such as changing their patrol paths. This ability has expanded to seemingly infinite possibilities in the New World. The suggestion cannot be too outrageous, or the target might dismiss the "idea" later as random spontaneous thought.
Ariel switched between different viewing angles. It was a good substitute for media entertainment. She enjoyed watching the fight. Brita looked good. She was on the thin side before. But with good food and constant training, she has put on muscles in more places. She is still not bulky by any means, because she trained hard to be fast and agile. Favoring agility over strength.
"Now let's look at some other channels."
Another temporary mirror materialized, showing Clementine skewering an unlucky victim. She has been helping Zurrernorn, killing people to recharge the Orb of Death. It was tedious work, even for a serial killer like her. Khajiit ordered her to keep a low profile, after the blunder in E-Rantel. Only kill people who will not be missed. Make them look like accident when possible to not draw attention from the authorities.
After a good night's rest, Ramposa got up from his bed with no help from servants. He stretched his body this way and that, and felt fresh immediately. He has not felt like this for many years. Usually he would sit on the edge of the bed and wait for his blood flow to catch up. Sometimes he even rung a bell to call a servant to help him stand up.
Ramposa dressed himself in front of the mirror. He opened the door to his bed chamber. The servant outside was surprised. It was still too early for the King's usual wake-up time.
"Have the cook prepare something. I'm hungry."
"Ri-right away, Your Majesty." The servant hid his bewilderment.
Renner joined Ramposa at the dinning table. The King had a great appetite. Not much was going to be wasted this time.
"Good morning father. I thought the maids were telling me in jest about what happened yesterday. But seeing is believing. Is it true, father, that you are in your current state because of one person, someone called the Oracle of E-Rantel?"
"Very much so, my dear Renner. Her actual name is Ariel Sanguine. She is about your age, and lives in another part of the palace at the moment."
"Oh, she sounds very interesting. Can I go see her, father? I don't have many people to talk to in this place. You are so busy with the Kingdom most of the time, and I feel so lonely ever since my sisters left. There are just some things that I don't feel appropriate to talk about with Climb or my brothers."
"Of course, dear. Go see her anytime you wish. Actually, could you show her around the castle as a host? Make her feel welcome. I think you two may become good friends."
Ramposa was feeling guilty. He wanted his youngest daughter to have a better life, not to be married off for political reasons like her sisters. Dealing with the nobles and managing a kingdom left little energy to spend time with family. His sons are adults and have their own lives. But Renner is still somewhat of a child.
"Thank you, father. Come, Climb, we have a guest to greet. We might miss her if we are late."
Renner got up and walked towards the door, leaving her breakfast half-eaten.
"Mm, er, yes, princess!"
Climb was deep in thought. He turned to follow, while trying to keep his steps quiet in front of the royals.
Ariel was having her own breakfast in her quarters. She wanted to sleep in some more, with mana exhaustion as a valid excuse. But she felt she can only take it so far. Plus, first impressions are important.
She finished up quickly when she sensed Renner approaching the vicinity, downing the rest of her coffee, and wiping her face. Someone announced the Third Princess's arrival. Ariel stepped aside from the table, letting the maids clean things up. The guards opened the doors fully to allow Renner in, and the servants rolled dirty plates out on a cart.
"Pardon the intrusion. Is miss Sanguine here?"
"Hi, Ren-Princess… You are the Third Princess? Nice to meet you! I'm Ariel Sanguine."
Ariel reached out to shake Renner's hand, then remembered it's a modern greeting. She held her own hand in front of herself awkwardly, palm facing Renner, not sure if she should wave.
Renner took a couple of quick steps and grasped Ariel's hand eagerly.
"Thank you so much for making my father feel well again. I was so relieved after watching him losing his health year after year. Please, just call me Renner. I see you have already eaten. If you are not busy, would you like to tour the palace? I can show you around."
Renner was a good actor. If Ariel didn't know anything, she might have fallen for her. She felt like she wanted to cry from happiness. 'If only someone like her acted that way toward me back then.'
She also sensed happiness from Renner, but not for her father. The act was also for the guards outside the doorway, and anyone else who might be listening.
They strolled in the castle garden. Climb was instructed to follow from a bit further away than normal, because there was going to be "girl talk" involved. He obeyed without question, but kept a steady eye on Ariel. She is a dangerous person in his eyes. A powerful magic caster, who defeated hordes of undead and two Skeletal Dragons easily, and capable of resurrection and healing magics on levels not achieved by anyone else, not even Lakyus of Blue Rose.
"It was a nice thing you did for my father, miss Ariel. But you are not abandoning me, are you? Please, you are my only hope of having a future with Climb."
Renner still acted innocent in front of Ariel. She revealed her love interest to Ariel trying to gain her trust and sympathy, but not her true nature.
"No, not at all. King Ramposa is still the same age. You might have heard the rumor that I can also reverse aging. If I can do that, how long do you think I will live?"
"Oh…" Renner's eyes widened with a look of realization on her face. A jumble of thoughts expanded from her mind and was mentally swatted away by Ariel. It was too much for her to understand in a short time.
"I'm thinking of elevating him in station high enough to be deserving of your hand. To do that, I must elevate myself first. That should not be too difficult, given the things I have done for this nation."
"Re-Estize has a gap in the magical field, because the ones in power mostly look down on it. You can spearhead in magic with my support. Come with me when I visit one of the soup kitchens in the city. I can feed the poor with the meager allowance I have, but I could never afford to heal the sick and injured. You would be perfect there. Besides that, I'm sure the nobles from both factions intend to incorporate your skills into their military. Your feats in E-Rantel are well documented."
Ariel thought Renner had a point. Use healing magic to gain support of the people, and use destruction magic to gain support of the nobles.
"What will your role be in this?" Ariel asks.
"We will be best friends, like father wanted. An offense to you will be an offense to me, thus an offense to the Crown. You can lead a new organization of warriors and mages that answers directly to me. I will let you decide on the details, but allow Climb to be part of it. That's how you will elevate him."
"Using my power to make Climb look good? Not a problem. I will let him have all the glory he wants. I'm not someone who's used to be in the limelight."
"Yes. Help Climb gain knighthood, or even a noble title, and I will shine you in whatever color's light you wish."
"Uhm, yeah, of course. So he may become a knight in this organization of mine. Should it be called something? There is the Paladin Order in the Robel Holy Kingdom. Would this organization be something similar?"
"Yes, it should be recognized as some kind of order. But first, you will be starting as my aid. As we 'befriend' each other, you and Climb will be sent on missions to make this kingdom a better place. Your feats should attract more talents, and your order will grow in power. I already have the first candidate in mind. You spent quite some interesting times with him."
"Hmm… are you talking about Gazef?"
Renner nods her head.
"Isn't he supposed to guard the King?"
"Not anymore. The nobles petitioned my father to have him removed after his outburst in the throne room. Marquis Raeven persuaded everyone to have him guard the capital wall, saying it would be a talent wasted to send him to a farm."
'That crafty noble. It's a good thing he's on our side… Not really. He knows about Renner's true nature. I must find a way to control him, or he might spoil everything.'
The "tour" continued inside, where Renner showed Ariel the layout of the palace. They stopped their secret discussions because there were other people around. They acted friendly in front of other people, fostering their "friendship". Brita returned in the afternoon from her little vacation. She and Ariel went back to their residence, where Brita revealed the location of the underground brothel.
"I should go ask the Princess what can be done about it. Stay within the castle grounds for today."
Ariel asked Renner to be her alibi, as she had to go somewhere in secret. She easily snuck out of the castle, and into the brothel as a parasitic slime. She slithered between cracks, jumped from person to person, then returned to her form in a secluded place.
She sensed miserable females all around her, and projected a mental message in Ninya's voice. It was modified to only reach certain individuals. Ariel set the filter to blonde, female, between ages 15 and 25, with 50% or less HP.
"Tuare!" The message said. Ariel pinged it several times, then felt a strong emotional reaction from one individual. She crept into the room where that individual was, used [Discern Enemy] to reveal her identity. "Tuareninya Veyron" displayed on the screen in Ariel's mind.
'Found you.'
The girl was badly beaten. She lay next to several other women inside the locked room.
'You will not suffer for long. The Swords of Darkness will be here soon.'
Ariel checked her mental map. The team is almost here, according to the tracker. They had to forage and earn their way to the capital to not starve. They should be able to secure lodging before nightfall at their current pace.
'It's good that nothing happened to them. If they ran into bandits or monsters they couldn't handle, I would have to teleport to them and take care of things in secret. Now, I hope you are ready to trade your life for your sister's.'