AN: "Cookies" → Speech / spoken air quotes
"Cookies" → Thoughts
"Cookies" → Spells / Martial Arts
"Cookies" → Message/ Command Mantra
I don't own Overlord
Have fun, enjoy and please review
Chapter 18
→ Clearing near the forest of tob / Arachama ←
An uncomfortable night, at least in comparison to her normally comfortable bed in the mansion, came to a halt when Arachama got woken up by Leinas.
"Good morning, Lady Arachama" Leinas yawned and Arachama turned multiple times before opening one of her eyes. She yawned and looked at Leinas.
Leinas had black rings under her eyes and looked devastated.
"Didn't you sleep?" Arachama asked.
"I had to make sure that your sleep was safe" Leinas tried and Arachama sighed.
Arachama rummaged through her inventory and took out an MP-potion and gave it to her.
"If MP is linked to the mind then this should help. If not she will feel nothing and I will force feed her a cup of coffee." Arachama thought and prepared a coffee for herself.
She saw the bags under Leinas eyes retreat while she herself cupped her hot coffee.
"It worked as I intended. That is good. Now you help me, my best friend in liquid form, mummy needs your assistance" Arachama mused inside her head and drank.
"Thank you Lady Arachama, though what I said was true, we will travel in the near future. While you drink your coffee I will dismantle the tent." Leinas explained and Arachama nodded.
Fith helped Arachama inside her wheelchair and gave her her coffee back. Arachama drank it with gusto. Leinas, after dismantling the tent, was collecting the coffers and placing them into a carriage. Afterwards Arachama was finished with her coffee and her wheelchair was brought towards the imperial carriage and placed inside.
"Good morning, Arachama" Jircniv greeted.
"Good morning, emperor" Arachama tried, with little success, to hide her grumpy self. Sadly her voice was betraying her and she got more grumpy than in her former world.
"Not a morning person?" Nimble asked, while climbing inside the carriage.
"Depends. I have no problem waking up early, if I sleep in my own bed" Arachama answered, though her voice was more like a hiss than an actual answer.
"Understandable, though we sadly have an appointment." Jircniv sighed and smiled.
"I just hope that it will go well and fast. I can't wait for my cozy bed at home" Arachama grumbled and Leinas snickered.
Luckily, at least from Arachamas perspective, the carriage started moving and they only had a small part of the trip to travel. When they got closer the scouts fanned out more, until they found a shed with two maids near it. They brought the news and the emperor decided that they would move there.
Once closer Arachama saw CZ and Lupusregina guarding the shed. The shed itself was better made than most buildings, at least if the reports were to be believed. Still, it was nothing in comparison to Nazarick. It stood in a wide clearing near a lake. A big, well crafted, table was placed outside with benches around it. The maids had prepared breakfast. It was a buffet, which smelled nicely, even for the humans. The weather on the other hand was close to a rainstorm.
"Nicely done, nicely done indeed. I can finally have my breakfast" Arachama smiled and Jircniv seemed to notice.
"Please be careful, Arachama" Jircniv looked at her and grasped her hand.
"Ara ara. I am just hungry, since we needed to break camp. But please be at ease. Why would they poison us if they could have killed us in Arwintar?" Arachama asked and grinned at Jircniv.
"That is a good thought." Jircniv said and Leinas seemed to sweat bullets.
After they got closer the carriages stopped and everyone, some with more help than others, got out of the carriages.
→ Nazarick / Lupusregina and CZ ←
Lupusregina couldn't believe her luck. First she heard that she would gain a mission later. That shocked her, as she had sadly failed on an assignment not that long ago. If serving on a mission didn't make her more happy though, she shone like a sun after she heard another assignment. She was to help CZ to prepare a nice reception for that emperor. Even better was that he was accompanied by Lady Arachama.
"I truly have my lucky day, better make everything perfect." Lupusregina thought.
She had prepared everything. She would certainly make a big impression of Nazarick. She had ordered the food and prepared the buffet. The table was crafted on short notice, though it was properly. The only problem she had was the weather. She realized this morning that the weather wouldn't be well fitted for an outside breakfast. Luckily she managed to ask Shalltear for help.
Shalltear knew "Control Weather". It allowed Shalltear to change the weather as she saw fit. It was a 6th tier spell.
Lupusregina managed to convince Shalltear, since Shalltear was already tasked with casting "Gate" for the guests. She would remain in the shed, wait for the signal and then cast "Gate" to the throne room. Though Lupusregina had to hear Shalltear brag, it was still worth the shot.
Lupusregina and CZ had waited for a short while when they saw the scouts and waved at them. The scouts retreated, probably to tell that emperor to come here. Lupusregina now looked over her preparation and smiled innocently.
"All in perfect order." Lupusregina sighed, then felt her muscle tighten. The hardest part was to come.
The carriages came and all got out. The emperor did not impress Lupusregina. She recognised Arachamas disguise immediately. Then she saw a female knight beside her and remembered her. She had peeped into the spa-reservoire and saw her.
"So she is one of the palms" Lupusregina thought.
Fith jumped out of another carriage and helped an old man with a long beard. She had heard, from Yuri, that they had the court magician under their thumb. That had to be him. Lupusregina saw them approach and kneeled.
→ Clearing in forest of tob / Arachama ←
Arachama waved at Fith, who ran over to her, and Fluder, who followed slightly slower. She then winked at Lupusregina, who winked back. Arachama was quite happy when she saw both pleiades, though she was also feeling the presence of Shalltear in the shed.
"Sneaky girl. Here I thought the "NPCs" didn't learn new tricks. Seems like they do. Ahh. I missed them, though I knew they would do well." Arachama thought and smiled inwardly.
A group consisting of Jircniv, Arachama, Fith, Leinas, Nimble, Boa Ari Styx and Fluder moved closer. Lupi and CZ kneeled and Arachama smiled. When they came closer Lupi stood up.
"Good morning, Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El-Nix. I am one of the pleiades. MY name is Lupusregina Beta. Please let us do something about the weather." Lupi said and clapped her hands. Immediately the clouds moved away and the sun shone brightly down on the assembled.
"Clever. I am certain she can't cast it. How did she get the help from Shalltear though? On second thought. I don't want to know" Arachama thought and snickered.
She snickered for a short while, until she realized that Fluder was laughing. That freaked out Jircniv.
"What is so funny, old man?" Jircniv asked.
"That was "Control Weather". It is a tier 6 spell, which controls the weather. I can teleport you out, if they wouldn't stop me that is. Hahaha. Fabiolous." Fluder laughed and Jircniv seemed to dislike the creep crawling up his spine.
"What will you do now?" Arachama asked, feeding into that knack. She saw him look at her. Arachama took his hand and kneaded it carefully.
"Don't worry. If they want us dead, we would already be so." Arachama reassured Jircniv, who relaxed a bit.
"If you would. Sadly our master still has important business to prepare. If you wish to eat breakfast. We have prepared it for you." Lupusregina grinned and the group came closer.
Arachama was the first to actually eat the food and felt great doing so. She needed breakfast.
"I want to do a small shock. I want to mention myself. I will give the chance" Arachama told Lupusregina over "Message" and cut the connection.
"Ara ara. Dear, what could such an esteemed being have to do himself?" Arachama asked Lupusregina.
"He met an old friend a while back. She fled from the kingdom and is joining his great tomb again" Lupusregina grinned over both ears, which caused a few of the guests to shiver.
"Ara ara. Thank you Lupi" Arachama thought and smirked inside her mind. Mini-Arachama meanwhile snickered in the background.
The dinner went on without a hitch and the guests enjoyed themselves. Arachama also enjoyed herself, since she had not eaten breakfast and was now stuffing her cheeks, with as much grace as possible. Leinas and Nimble ate with a watchful eye on the emperor and Arachama. The emperor had eaten, though he flirted a bit with Arachama, who seemed oblivious to the advances. Even the prisoner was given food, though she had slight problems eating, thanks to the fear she felt about what is to come.
When the sun reached noon, Lupusregina clapped her hands to get the attention from everyone. CZ opened the doors to the shed and revealed a black-red oval shaped rip. Arachama knew this to be a portal, which was cast by "Gate". She signaled for Fith to push her through the "Gate". She went through the portal and found herself in the throne room.
She saw the floor guardians, though Demiurge used another form, which resembled more a frog. Arachama then looked and saw her true form standing besides Monga and winked at them all.
After a short while the rest followed and they got closer to the throne. Once they reached a respectable distance JIrcniv, who led the group now, stopped and looked up. It seemed like he wanted to take in the appearance of the unknown ruler of this tomb. Shock spread on Jircnivs face.
The faces of the guardians, Monga and 'Arachama' were showing no emotions, and if it was boredom and disgust. Distraught creeped in on the knights and Arachama smiled inwardly.
"Jircniv has a great amount of self control" Arachama thought.
Demiurge nodded towards Monga and moved forward in front of them.
"You show far too much pride in front of the supreme ones. Bow down" Demiurge ordered through "Command Mantra".
All fell to the floor, except Jircniv and Arachama. They bowed and Arachama sighed in her head and thought about doing so herself, but she decided to simply stay put in her wheelchair. While she felt "Command Mantra" on the others, she didn't feel it on herself. Instead Arachama placed her hands below her blankets and placed a ring on her finger.
"Ara ara. We have stubborn ones. Besides, Demiurge, please let them be free again. They are far from a threat" 'Arachama' said and Demiurge looked abashed.
"Now then, Demiurge, please step back" Monga chimed in and Demiurge nodded.
"You are free to move" Demiurge used "Command Mantra" again and the others were free to move again.
Jircniv looked around and saw Arachama still in her wheelchair.
"How did you evade his spell?" Jircniv asked in a whisper.
"I have an item that negates mind-attacks" Arachama replied and Jircniv nodded.
The other got back up and looked terrified.
"It seems like we are completely at their mercy," Fluder told Jircniv and he looked around with a greedy look.
"Your majesty. I have brought before you the ones responsible for the attack on your home. Please accept the heads of the father and the son. Please also accept the prisoner. They acted without orders and I am ashamed of their action" Jircniv stated. Leinas led her former mother forwards, while Nimble brought two vases forth. Demiurge looked to Monga, who nodded.
"You may bow" Demiurge ordered Boa with "Command Mantra". Then he took the heads and brought them to Monga. Monga turned them to "Death Knights" in a public and showy fashion and ordered them to join the ranks.
Everyone gathered was shocked at this, except Fluder, Leinas, Fith and Arachama. Though Leinas and Fith played the shock rather well. Fluder meanwhile looked like a stereotypical pervert and lost control of his face completely.
"Turning humans into such legendary undead. That's unheard of" He shouted and Leinas placed a hand on his shoulder, calming Fluder down.
Monga looked at Fluder and then Arachama. Arachama subtly nodded.
"That is the apprentice I mentioned. While he is a bit of a lunatic, he is the strongest caster of this new world. I gave him the books you gave me on necromancy. He is quite useful for the tomb." Arachama told Monga in a "Message".
"Now then. Seeing as my subordinate treated you in such a despicable manner, I will grant you the leave. We no longer have a grudge and there is nothing to apologize for now. I wish you a good trip back home" 'Arachama' smiled motherly at them.
Jircniv stood there, seemingly flabbergasted. Then he moved closer.
"Why don't we work together? A beeing such as yourself certainly needs the right domain, don't you want to rule?" Jircniv asked, obviously inquiring about the information.
"Ara ara." 'Arachama' grinned over both ears while Mongas eyes flared up.
"We could certainly find our own territory after our civil problem. It certainly would show some people to not attack us." Monga said loudly and tried to look thinking.
"Then why don't we become allies? The Baharut Empire could help you in that regard. We could even present you with a golden opportunity" Jircniv asked.
"Ara ara. Monga, it's quite appealing, isn't it?" 'Arachama' asked, creeping closer to Monga.
"I agree with you Arachama." Monga answered and Jircniv, and some others, looked at Arachama.
"Ara ara. Why is everyone looking at the puny human?" 'Arachama' asked.
"Because she carries the same name as you, your highness" Jircniv replied and looked at Arachama.
"It is a good name." 'Arachama' told them.
"I am also the descendant of an arachne. The oldest daughter always gets this name. It has been like that since, with me, 25 generations" Arachama told the others of her group.
The reaction within the group wasn't as strong as expected. Largely because Jircniv, Leinas and Fluder already knew and Boa Ari Styx didn't care anymore. Nimble was one of the few who looked at Arachama with a shocked expression.
"Watch out or a fly might fall in" Arachama tried to joke and it took out some stress from Nimble and some others.
"If you are the descendant of an Arachne, show your family-crest. All arachne I know have one of those and it is carried with pride." 'Arachama's voice rang through the hall and curiosity was laced into the order.
"Here" Arachama answered and took out her hand. It had a ring on it with her sigil. A capital "M" with eight legs.
The guardians acted shocked and looked at 'Arachama', who now played the long lost great-some-more-great-grandmother.
"Ara ara. So you are a descendant of Me Tangere? He was quite a strong and lovely man. Here is my sigil" Arachama played shocked and took out a locket with the same sigil.
"Ara ara. That explains my little quirk." Arachama smiled and 'Arachama' smiled back. She now looked sternly at her.
"I thought the line killed off after the red wedding?" 'Arachama' asked.
"I tried to use magic, sadly I wasn't able to help my family members. After only a handful of members survived I used "Greater Teleportation". Sadly the shock was too much for my grandmother and my mother. Both died with grief while my two brothers died of their wounds" Arachama 'explained' and 'Arachama' now grinned.
"That means I am your next in kin?" 'Arachama' asked.
"Since I have no other family members…" Arachama answered.
"Then I order you to return home" 'Arachama' ordered.
"Wait, please!" Jircniv shouted and 'Arachama' turned towards him.
"Speak to the emperor," 'Arachama' said.
"I would need a reliable way to contact you. Why don't we trade diplomats? Arachama is my guest and Vermillion, one of my most trusted advisors, stays here?" Jircniv asked and Monga was thinking about the idea.
"Ara ara. I have a better idea. I propose that she acts as a possibility to contact us. We don't need a human running around the great tomb" 'Arachama' replied and Jircnivs eyes shone brightly.
"I would agree to that. I even grant her the status of a diplomat, so that no one dares to harm her at my court." Jircniv said.
"They better not. While I dont like humans, she is still my kin. My blood runs through her veins, even if it is diluted." 'Arachama' hissed and Jircniv fell back. He also sighed, seemingly in relief.
"If that is all. We have to prepare." Monga stated.
"I have an idea. Since you give me the trust to protect lady Arachama, I want to give something in return. The capital of the Slane Theocracy has fallen. The Re-Estize kingdom will try to capture large quantities of lands of the former Theocracy. Why don't we captur two birds with one stone? You can show your power and show the world why no one should trifle with you. You could also gain great territory from this." Jircniv asked. He held his breath.
"I am listening" Monga signed Jircniv to continue
"I am also moving troops to the northern part of the former Theocracy. I expect the nobles of the kingdom to be greedy and arrogant enough to overstretch. We will use this for skirmishes. Then we declare war together on the kingdom. With your power and my soldiers we will defeat the kingdom and we can get territory for your future empire." Jircniv proposed.
"I like it. Please proceed. When you want to declare war, please let Arachama know" Monga replied and Jircniv sighed in relief.
"You lucky boy. If I hadn't had my hands in this you probably would have died or gone insane. Luckily, for you, I asked for you to be alive and well after the meeting" Arachama thought and held her breath.
"I will contact you then." Jircniv accepted the order from Monga.
"Then I let you go. We have to prepare a great army, worthy of Nazarick." Monga bellowed and the group, minus Boa Rockbruise Ari Styx, moved out.
Once they were outside Fluder played a temper tantrum. It was short lived, because Arachama told him his fate as a human in a place like this tomb. Fith brought Arachama to Fluders carriage, where she was placed inside.
Leinas and an apprentice of Fluder would now be placed inside of JIrcniv carriage.
"All in all it went well enough" Arachama thought and napped when the trip "home" began.
→ Carriage on the way to Arwintar / Jircniv ←
Jircniv was happy, since he knew that his luck proved to be in great condition. He had gambled and it paid off. Though he thought about what to do with Arachama. He liked her, but she is indirectly tied to these monsters.
"Why isn't Arachama here?" Jircniv asked Leinas.
"She feared that you would see her as a traitor and therefore went with Fluders carriage. It also helps to keep him from throwing another temper tantrum." Leinas answered.
Jircniv went over the events.
"I can't get rid of them. They are far too powerful. I can't turn them on each other, since they stood through 'problems'. All of his subordinates are thus loyal towards him. The other human nations aren't strong enough on their own and most of them don't know of the threat. Argh. We can't do anything against them?" Jircniv ruffled his hair as his thoughts lingered in his carriage.
"He set all human nations to checkmate?" Nimble asked, confused.
"Practically? Yes. Re-Estize sees us as renegades and would rather die than to help us against this threat. The Slane Theocracy has fallen. That leaves the Council States, Draconic Kingdom, Roble Holy Kingdom and thos barbarian wyvern riders. Those don't know the threat of that monster or have their own struggles." Leinas sighed at the end of her reply.
"That only leaves us with one option," Jircniv said.
"We have to be the best allies that monster has. We will develop as close ties as possible. The survival of our species depends on it." Jircniv shuddered.
"Why the survival of our species?" Nimble asked.
"Do you think that undead will remain content with one city?" Jircniv asked.
"Doesn't sound like it. Though I agree with the plan. We might prosper with that undead as a neighbor. No more stress with Re-Estize if we can place them between us and Re-Estize. Or am I wrong?" Leinas asked.
"That is actually a great idea. I also have a nice idea about making closer ties with that tomb. Though I will need time for that" Jircniv sighed.
"If all works well, we might survive" Jircniv sighed and the mood got better.
"Leinas, do you believe it possible that Arachama is a spy or that she betrayed us?" Jircniv asked.
"I don't think so. She was genuinely shocked to find her ancestor there. I also don't think that she was a spy, since she didn't know the place existed before we arrived. I think your crush is safe from those suspicions" Leinas winked at Jircniv, who felt his cheeks change colors.
"She is just a useful person" Jircniv denied, though Nimble and Leinas grinned like devils.
"Don't be shy, my emperor. She certainly has the looks" Nimble said. Both laughed and Jircniv couldn't help but fall into their laughter.
→ Re-Estize / Renner ←
Renner was walking through the halls of her fathers palace in the search of Climb. Normally she wouldn't search for him, as her loyal pet would obediently wait till she would say otherwise. Sadly he had trained and now was either cleaning himself or on a search for her. This could prove quite unwanted for her, since it was time consuming.
"But if he is showering… That would be quite a looker" Renner thought while daydreaming. She didn't pay attention to her way and walked around a corner and only saw someone jump around her and follow her.
She continued her, sadly quite futile, search of her beloved Climb until she was at her wits end and went to her room. When she opened the door to her room she saw the custom made adamantite-armor in the corner of her eyes.
"So he truly is my obedient puppy. He must have followed me quite some time" Renner thought and could have smacked her own face. She then looked outside her window and saw that it was already noon.
"Climb? I fear we need to go to my carriage" Renner told him and started to walk, followed closely by Climb.
The trip to her carriage went without a hitch and there her friends already waited. Blue Roses, as was their team called, waited close to her carriage. Lakyus looked relaxed while Eviley, Gagaran looked uneasy. The twins, Tia and Tina, did not show any emotions, like usual.
"I thank you for your help. Without your help I wouldn't be able to do my work." Renner greeted them and Lakyus smiled.
"No problem, Princess Renner." Lakyus replied and helped Renner inside. The carriage was big enough to house Lakyus, Evileye, Climb and Tia. Gagaran meanwhile would drive the carriage while Tina looked out, placed on the back of the carriage.
The drive through the capital went without a hitch. The problems also did not occur on the outskirts of the city, aside from terrible roads, but that was something that couldn't be helped.
The group inside the carriage made smalltalk until they were far out of the city, since they were not sure who would listen in on them. But once they were on their way Lakyus, Evileye, Tia and Climb looked at Renner.
"Now, what is it we are hired for?" Lakyus asked.
"Simple. During the raids on eight fingers, that spider woman 'Arachama' was attacked. Sadly that is a situation my father wants to correct, since he doesn't want to owe her anything. After the adventurer-guild decided to investigate internally, it fell from my fathers vision, the demon Jaldabaoth did not help in that regard. Luckily I located that arachne near Carne Village. This gives us the opportunity to talk with her about her words in regard to the Baharut Empire" Renner explained and looked at Evileye.
"It also gives me a vacation and an opportunity to give information directly." Renner thought.
"I still have to thank you for the help. The guild was upset enough that they would demote any adventurer found fighting an arachne for a while." Evileye sighed and Lakyus nodded along.
"Let's hope we find this one, since I want to invite her to the capital. If she is still amenable. Otherwise we let her be." Renner told them and they nodded.
The trip would last for some time and Renner therefore decided to take a well deserved nap.
→ Re-Estize Royal Court / Ramposa III ←
Ramposa had a terrible day. First his daughter went on her trip to Carne Village and then there was a court-meeting. A court-meeting always ment that all nobles would meet to discuss important matters in regards to politics that affected most of them. Usually those were extremely tiring, since the attitude of some individuals became quite unbearable. Sadly he had to bear it.
He sat on his throne while his sons were seated to his right. There were two empty thrones to his left. One for Renner and one for his deceased wife. He wore his royal mantle and a scepter. The crown on his head became heavier every single day and he wished he could have placed his heir on the throne already.
"Sadly I don't have a fitting heir. Renner is smart enough, but sadly a woman. Zanac is also quite smart but doesn't have the support. Barbo has the support but is not clever nor does he care for the commoners. The good ones aren't available and the heir would ruin us. Argh. I hope the meeting goes over fast" Ramposa thought.
The nobles came in one after another, bowed and then went to their positions. First came the marquis, then the counts afterwards the barons and then the knights. After that came the ten richest merchants and then came Gazef, since he was the "lowest" amongst them. Sadly the nobles insisted on that part of the etiquette, if only to humiliate and spite Gazef.
"Such a shame." Ramposa thought.
He saw that Gazef took his place at the bottom of the throne's stairs. Therefore Ramposa stood up and looked over the nobles.
"I thank you for coming to the capital for the court-meeting. Let's start with today's agenda. First I want to go over the information that I got and then we will proceed with the next steps. I want to have a plan till evening. Gazef, give the nobles the gathered information." Ramposa told the nobles, who nodded.
"We have multiple pieces of information. For more clarity I also got a map on that wall over there. It shows Re-Estize, the Baharut Empire, Slane Theocracy and the Dark Dwarf Kingdom. Our sources report that the capital of the former Slane Theocracy has fallen to an invasion of pest-spreading undead, quite similar to our experience with the demon-lord Jaldaboath. Since then the villages and city are on their own." Gazef reported that part.
Ramposa looked over his nobles and didn't know if it was good or bad. They were virtually, and some literally, drooling over that news. It disgusted them. Contrary to popular belief in his court, Ramposa was not only good in the past. While he still had to fight some demons of the past he was still able to do some political maneuvering, or more accurately he was able to read a room and understand political situations. He knew what the emperor of Baharut was doing, and was disgusted by the emperor's plan as much as by his nobles' inability to see those plans.
"How reliable is the source?" Marquis Raeven asked. Many nobles looked at him with disdain.
"Thanks for at least one with some understanding. Even if he has the head of an usurper. But thanks for the question my former opponent" Ramposa thought.
"The source is the network from Princess Renner. It proved quite effective and reliable in the past. It collected the locations of eight finger bases and gave us the fighting strength of their forces." Gazef reported and Marquis Raeven nodded towards Zanac.
"So it is reliable, therefore we should treat the information as factual." Marquis Raeven replied to Gazef.
"Then we should strike first. We need more men to destroy the empire." Marquis Blumrush expressed his thoughts. He was in his forties and wore a thin mustache over his lip. He usually kept himself in good order. He was known for his intrigues and wasn't particularly loyal to the throne.
"The empire is also marching south, seemingly their network also got wind of the information." Gazef told the nobles and now Marquis Boullope frowned. Boullope was a veteran of older days. He had fought together with Ramposa. This showed in his scars and how he kept himself. Boullope usually wore clothing, which allowed freer movement, though it was still fairly expensive. He slowly drifted away from Ramposa but was still loyal on a personal level.
"That means we have to gather as much territory as possible before they catch it. If we dont they will use it against us. That would hinder our progress" Boullope reasoned.
"We should make peace with the empire. It wouldn't come back into our fold" Ramposa thought. While he didnt like history, he knew that around 200 years ago the Baharut Empire broke off the Re-Estize Kingdom, after the Kingdom left them to their own devices against the minotaurs hords.
"Do we even have the resources to hold captured territories?" Zanac asked.
"I believe that the commoners should greet us as their savior. We bring them law and order after their government failed them. Through that we wouldn't need much resources to hold captured regions" Count Lyotton replied. He was one of the most influential nobles. He was blond and had a great physique, usually wearing expensive clothing. He also didn't care about casualties or the plight of others, as long as it profits him.
"I would hold back with any advances on the former Slane Theocracy. We do not have the resources to keep the residents and our own soldiers in line. The annual war is also not far into the future. If we rush in we will find nothing but unrest, enemies and annihilation. I would recommend talking to the empire about the situation." Margrave Urovana, the oldest noble besides Ramposa recommended. He was a former general and had the rank of a Marquis, since margrave were nobles at the border, tasked with the first defense. He was old and Ramposa knew of the paralyzed foot, which Urovana seemed to be used to after nearly 4 decades. Urovana was stern and a military leader, which elevated his opinion in the eyes of Ramposa, at least in this matter. The loyalty towards him from the margrave also helped.
"Father, we should start conscripting or the empire will take those lands. If the empire takes it the border will only increase and we will have a harder time to conquer it back into Re-Estizes fold" Barbo told Ramposa.
"Leave it to my son to say the worst opinion in the room" Ramposa thought and winced inside.
"I agree with Margrave Urovana. He has the most experience in terms of military. He fought for our king and lands on many occasions" Marquis Raeven supported Urovana, who nodded towards Marquis Raeven.
"We should gain territory to gain the upper hand on the empire." Blumrush countered and then the nobles were shouting at each other.
"SILENCE" the king shouted and all became quiet again.
"Father, let me go with an army. I will take control of lands and hold the empire back. Once I return our kingdom will be stronger than before." Barbo proudly stood before Ramposa.
"You fool Barbo. You should adhere to advice from the old. If it weren't for the court right now" Ramposa thought, fury rising.
"Alright. Barbo will lead one army. Then one will be led by Count Lytton. Because of a report from the network we will need an expeditionary force led by Knight Rokerlen. Prepare for possible problems to arise and raise the forces necessary." Ramposa ordered.
"Let's hope it goes right, then Barbo at least has something to show off." Ramposa thought.
The nobles nodded and Gazef walked back into place to report the next news.
"Sadly we will not be able to buy grain from the Robe Holy Kingdom this year. They asked us for information about Jaldaboath. Do we give the information or not?" Gazef reported and it was a short no from more than a majority. Only a few nobles wanted to share that a demon attacked the capital of Re-Estize.
"Then we need one last subject. There are corpses stolen in E-Rantel after an attack by the organization called Zuranon. Amongst them is the former black scripture "Clementine". Do we investigate or do we rest the matter?" Gazef asked.
"Please vote to investigate," Ramposa thought. Sadly his political power in the court-meeting wasn't that strong, as he may need potential favors later.
The discussion this time was much longer and they voted to rest the case, as they are dead.
"The last point of the list. We gained inside on Baharut and its strength. They were able to make ties with another nation, which is unknown to us. They equipped all their soldiers with high quality gear. They also gained a substantial amount of strength by gaining the support of a new magic caster. This one allegedly is teaching Fluder Paradyne" Gazef reported.
"You mean that she is learning under Fluder Paradyne," Baron Cheneko laughed. Baron Cheneko was not of notice to most nobles. He wore, in comparison to others in the room, cheap clothing and was a brownnoser and famous for being terrible at this.
"No. I mean that Fluder Paradyne is an apprentice to the new caster. She is able to cast tier eight magic and it is said that she specializes in entomanzy. Other information on her is her age, 20 to 25, her gender, female, and that she is disabled as she needs a wheelchair. Our spies also rumor that the emperor is quite fond of her," Gazef reported the bit of information that they had.
"So the emperor is quite a deviant in that regard eh?" Barbo laughed and some nobles fell into the laughter.
"She is dangerous, that is a bit lower than the gods in terms of power, but not much below the gods" Ramposa thought, but didnt say anything. Instead he gulped inaudibly.
"We might catch her in the next annual war," Lytton jokes.
"Then we can give her to the troops, hahaha" Barbo laughed and the laughter rose again.
"We should look at how we can bolster our strength, or we might be beaten this time," Gazef suggested.
"Conscript the adventurers. That would give us plenty of manpower and we don't need to pay them much, since they are conscripts" Cheneko said and Gazef nearly fell over.
"Not a bad idea," Barbo thought loud.
"Hear" Rokerle shouted and most of the knights and barons agreed, to the dismay of most marquis and most of the royals.
"How did I get this oaf as a firstborn?" Ramposa thought and was weeping inside.
"Baron Cheneko, why don't you conscript the team 'Darkness'?" Barbo asked and the baron nodded.
"We need to vote," Ramposa said.
The majority was for it, though the most important were against it and thus the idea was shot down. Sadly, at least as far as Ramposa heard his son afterwards, Barbo still wanted to conscript adventurers.
After the last point the nobles left to prepare for the annual war or their assigned tasks. Only Zanac, Gazef, Raeven and Ramposa remained. Ramposa fell back into his throne and a big sigh left his body.
"That was terrible." Raeven said.
"I know marquis, I know," Ramposa said and wiped sweat from his forehead.
"I fear terrible news from the expedition into Slane" Gazef said and sighed.
"As do I" Raeven said and all left the room. The royal for the dinner and Raeven for his family.
AN: Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed and please: review. Till next time.