Zekken182: I can understand that you are looking forward to the arrival of Gilgamesh, but he will not appear before the second part of the series. I can't explain to you the internal reason for this late arrival (not without an important spoiler). But for the external reason, it's just... that Gilgamesh will sweep everything in his path as soon as he arrives. I have many reasons to want a story full of hardship for Miriel.
Author's note: again I would like to thank all my readers especially those who post reviews.
Gold is stronger than Iron
Targos, Robble Holy Kingdom
Miriel smiled at Altiria.
The princess gave her back her smile while organizing the transport of the plates, bowls, and cups of red pottery that had been made since the day before.
It had become a habit for the inhabitants of Targos.
All available people were put to use to make this cheap dishware. At first, the inhabitants did not understand why they had to spend time modeling and baking ceramics while their city was under siege by an army of goblins.
But after Miriel 'miraculously' turned the first batch of these useless items into weapons, food, and other items that were missing from the besieged, the inhabitants no longer talked back. Now he worked diligently, every day, producing several batches of ceramic tableware.
After all, the edge of the Shelayen River was made of ferruginous clay. The inhabitants had only to shape it summarily and bake bit to make inexpensive and non-glassed dishes. In the New World, pots of this kind would have been used only by the poorest individuals.
Miriel shuddered slightly as she heard the door close behind her.
She was alone in a harbor warehouse... and the Summoner was pretty nervous.
When her spells and wizard skills were just used to grind XP in a Dungeon, she only cared about developing her character build to be as efficient as possible.
It was only when Miriel arrived on the New Word that she realized that she was using almost exclusively her magic to summon demons... certainly, these creatures were very effective in slaughtering enemies... but they provoked a shocked reaction, fear, and even repulsion among her allies. For the inhabitants of the New World, the Demonists were at best crazy... at worst utterly corrupted madmen.
It did not take much time for Miriel to understand that this opinion was not even exaggerated.
In Obscura Onihime Online the creatures invoked by a summoner were mere weapons without individualities... Like all spells, there was always a chance of failure. Then, the MP was spent without the creature appearing.
But Summoning magic worked differently in the New World.
Now, the demons she called out of their hellish dimension had their own personality and motivations... in short, they were capable of independent thinking. They were cruel, contemptuous, with a deep hate for mortals... and they hated their summoner even more. If the summoning fails, the demon might not materialize (as in OOO). Worst case it could materialize... but without being controlled by the spellcaster.
The first time that a demon had escaped her control, the fiend ran amok and immediately tried to kill her!
This kind of experience had a little traumatic side.
Miriel opened her inventory and her hand disappeared into a window that looked like an open tear on the nothingness.
When the half-elf windrowed her arm, she was holding a book adorned with fittings. It was a heavy grimoire with parchment pages. A drawing of a hand with hooked nails appeared on the black leather cover. Below is the name of the book:
Greedy Clutches.
I'jel'o'nhurb, the Memory of the World, the Archdevil of Knowledge created 7 unique books collectively called the Black Books. These Relics symbolized the Seven Deadly Sins. Greedy Clutches was Avarice.
In practice, despite all the scary stories created by OOO's Dev Team to enrich the Lore of the game, Greedy Clutches was just a way to summon a trader anywhere... which pushed PCs to pick up all the items lying around in the Dungeons and sell them once their inventory was full. This quickly enriched a group of players... justifying that this book represents the sin of Avarice.
Miriel opened Greedy Clutches to a random page. Immediately, several letters of the text began to shine with a disturbing green light... then separated from the book to swirl around the room and gather in a humanoid hologram-like silhouette that became denser before materializing.
Greedy Clutches was the name of a book, but especially the name of the demon it invoked.
The creature was dressed in a very simple black dress, without any ornament, which wrapped him from the throat to his ankles. The simplicity of this garment made a striking contrast with the head of the humanoid... the face with the red skin was marked with black by tattoos forming an abstract entangled pattern. Red and curved horns protruded from his forehead.
The creature bowed a hand on the heart and a predatory smile revealed its teeth... only canines.
"It is a joy to see you again, Mistress Miriel."
The half-elf bowed to the hellish merchant.
"Thank you, it is also a joy to see you again Greedy Clutches."
The demon stood up. His eyes - like abimes of fire- sparkled.
"I looked for the products you asked me yesterday..."
While Greedy Clutches was unpacking, boasting about his merchandise (demonic or human, nothing looked more like a shopkeeper than another shopkeeper) Miriel was nodding her head, listening distractedly. Proof, once again, that she was no longer in a video game the inventory of Greedy Clutches had nothing random. He was actively searching for items that interested his client.
It was frightening to think that the demon merchant had contacts that provided him with the equipment Miriel requested... Did this mean that she was invoking creatures that existed somewhere else? That a whole demonic world was there, almost at hand, eager to invade this one?
In her previous life, Miriel had read that a peasant from the Middle Ages could work his whole life without saving enough to buy an ox. No doubt it was the same in the New World. But Greedy Clutches used the OOO price chart.
And that was when things started to get interesting because OOO had an economic system that used only gold coins as currency.
The demon therefore bought the cheap dishware made by the inhabitants of Targos and paid in gold for objects that were normally only worth a few coins. While a new sword in the demon's inventory was worth at most a dozen gold coins, the breastplate of plate armor was worth only 400 gold coins.
"I also found the alchemical ingredients you were looking for, Mistress Miriel."
"Thank you."
"But it is a pleasure to serve you, Mistress Miriel."
In a way, Greedy Clutches was the most dangerous magic item in the half-elf's Inventory. First, because it was the best proof that she was trading with devils (in the most literal sense of this expression), and then... it could upset the economic balance of the entire continent!
Besides, this cheat object had given her some ideas to fight against the Sorcerer Kingdom.
She had often heard a saying in her previous life: "Gold is stronger than Iron." It was the right time to experiment with this idea.
Intrigued, Antilene Heran Fouche watched Miriel in great conversation with Attiria and Leyen. The gothic heterochromia girl frowned.
"What happened? Since when does Altiria get along so well with Miriel?"
She spoke to Khalid Deez. The mercenary looked at her with a tired expression on the face.
"For starters, how do you want me to know, I don't frequent them... and you should call her 'Nimrodel', you never know if Jaldabaoth spies are listening."
But Antilene shrugged, as usual, she did not care about the consequences of her actions.
"Ask the elf, then."
Khalid looked up to the sky, taking all the gods to witness but sighed without contradicting the Gothic Girl. If he had understood something well since he was dating her, it was that Antilene was self-centered. For her, others were just a way to have fun. If they became boring, she would lose interest in them.
Moving away, the young adventurer joined the elf princess and talked for a few moments with her. The Extra Seat of Slane Theocracy's Black Scripture frowned again as Khalid's face suddenly betrayed surprise.
As the mercenary returned to her, vigorously scratching his head, Antilene called him.
"So?"
"Miriel is sixteen years old."
But Antilene did not seem to understand.
"I asked you to find out why the elf got along so well with Miriel, not how old she is."
"But that's the reason... I think Princess Altiria took pity on Miriel because she had to participate so young in such a horrible war... But that's not the problem here."
"Ah?"
"Have you forgotten that Miriel is level 35?! At 16! She is practically the equivalent of a 6th-level arcanist... like Fluder Paradyne himself."
Khalid did not specify that Fluder, the most powerful wizard in the Bahamut Kingdom, was over 200 years old and was considered a living legend. Until recently parents told their children about the exploits of this Great Wizard, and adults learned that he was the protector of the kingdom... But although Emperor Jircniv was a vassal of the Sorcerer Kingdom... he seemed to have taken offense that Fluder conspired with Ainz Ooal Gown. His Majesty had deprived Fluder of all his duties at the Ministry of Magic and the Imperial Magic Academy.
Antilene shrugged her shoulders. The Extra Seat of the Black Scripture knew from the beginning that Miriel could not be judged by the commonly accepted rules.
"She is a Player."
The answer shocked Khalid, after all the Players were the heroes and the scourges of the New World, and some of them were even revered as gods.
Neither of the two half-elves paid attention to the shadow of a nearby building that was longer than normal. A shadow demon listened to everything they said... very carefully. Back to Nazarick, he would have a lot to tell.
Because in the New World, the shadows had taken life, spies in the service of a power that threatened to devour the entire planet.
An hour later, Antilene turned her head while hearing the Summoner call after her.
"Miriel?"
The Player's face showed annoyance.
"Call me Nimrodel! My real name is not to blaze aboard."
But the Heterochromia Girl didn't seem impressed by Miriel's anger. Once again Antilene looked at her with a sulky air, like a child forced to participate in the five o'clock tea of a group of old ladies.
"Ok. Nimrodel."
"It's better... I want to warn you that I will be absent for a few days. I leave with Diolaine."
"Okay. Is that all?"
A vein was beating on Miriel's forehead, but she sighed before shaking her head, massaging her temples. Anyway, what's the use of getting angry about Antilene selfishness?
"Yes, that's all. But if you want advice, worry more about the people around you. How people treat you directly depends on how you treat them. If you continue like this, you'll be on your own the day you need help. There is nothing worse than dying alone, Antilene. You can believe what I say, I speak from experience."
Miriel did not wait for an answer or a 'goodbye'... Now she knew Certain Death well enough to know that like all other conventions, politeness went over the head of the gothic girl. As she walked away without turning her head back, Miriel did not see Antilene's impassive mask break briefly because she had brutally reminded the Heterochromia Girl how lonely her life had been so far.
After all, Miriel did not know that the Gothic Heterochromia Girl was jealous of the relationship Altiria had just forged with her... the Player also did not know that Antilene had kept preciously 'Frankenstein Teddy Bear'... the plush that the Summoner had sewn for her.
A small group of people had gathered in the central square to witness the departure of Miriel and Diolaine.
The baroness of Breval took the hands of the Summoner in hers.
"Don't take any risks, Nimrodel. But if you can, go to Daggerford."
"Why should I go to Dagguerford, Your Ladyship?"
"Go to the wizard tower, the master of the tower is famous for having visions of the future, she can help you."
Miriel frowned, about to ask why she would need someone with visions of the future, and then remembered that she had repeatedly complained about not controlling very well the visions that appeared in her crystal ball.
"If you think I can use it, I'll visit her, Your Ladyship."
"You are a nice young woman very polite and very helpful, come back quickly, we will miss you... even if you had not saved Targos several times since your arrival."
Miriel blinked in confusion. But what happened? For two days, everyone was suddenly nicer to her! What happened so that... Miriel did not finish her thought, evidence overwhelming her. She had spoken to the elf priestess two days earlier! She turned to Altira Siina Verteil.
"Princess, how many people have you told about our conversation?"
Altira had the good taste of blushing.
Aware of being in public, the Summoner refrained from swearing.
That's why the half-elf hated so much to talk about herself. There was always someone in earshot to repeat everything to people who weren't involved. Rumors born of such silly chatter had hurt her a lot in her previous life and the idea of being targeted again by bullies briefly twisted her stomach.
As soon as Altiria left her room, Miriel regretted having told her too much... exhausted, migrainous, and especially depressed, the Summoner had needed an attentive ear. The princess had arrived at the right (wrong?) moment and Miriel had spoken too much.
Fortunately, the half-elf had the reflex to silence her real abilities. In fact, until then, she had NEVER used her most powerful spells. During an OOO event (a kind of team VS team tournament), one of the teams who had made one of the highest scores in the playoffs had posted its exploits on the internet. In the next round, they had been swept away by a rival team that had studied the video to exploit their weaknesses.
OOO was a hardcore game, where the teams were very 'pro'. Bragging about your skills costs you dearly. As in the real world, there were jealousies, tenacious grudges, revenge, and... bullies. On the server, some guilds never conquered Dungeons. They specialized in attacking other players... they were called Players Killer Guilds or PK for short.
In a PvP-based game, to survive you had to keep a low profile.
The kids who thought they were stronger than everyone else because they killed a few NPC were the favorite targets of the PK... looting the bodies of these naive players often paid more than conquering a middle-level dungeon.
Things were not very different here. In the New World, the resurrection of the Players was impossible. They had only one life. One word too many to the wrong person would be enough for Watanabe Haruko's second life to end in a puddle of blood.
"When I get back, princess, we'll have to talk."
Ashamed, Altiria nodded quietly, shaking her hands.
At least the elf realized she had made a misstep.
Taking advantage of the awkward silence that had settled in, Diolaine Gisle Kure leaned towards the half-elf.
"Uh... NImrodel, are we really leaving Targos?"
"Yes."
Diolaine had a tense smile.
"Fine, but I'm just wondering how we're going to get out of a besieged city. Last time, even with the whole team... well that was hard."
"We were hiding. Now, we will fly."
The thief looked at Miriel, opening her eyes as big as saucers.
"Fly?"
"Yes."
Without another word, the Summoner plunged both hands into her Inventory and pulled out an object that turned out to be a rolled carpet. When the Wizard had fully taken out the object she let it go. But instead of falling, the carpet unfolded and gently descended to float one meter above the ground.
Many of the people around them began to murmur with excitement.
"A flying carpet!"
The Summoner shrugged, trying to minimize the extraordinariness of this means of locomotion.
"It's just a magic object."
Miriel did not specify that unlike most of the objects she carried in her inventory, she had created this carpet.
In OOO, three forms of crafting could be learned by the Wizards' PC: alchemy, spell creation (1), and magic item creation. Although none of these crafts are her specialty, the Summoner still had the normal skills of a level 35 wizard.
Miriel turned to Diolaine.
"You can stay all day to admire this carpet or climb on it. Personally, I would prefer to leave before nightfall."
Not that the Summoner has any difficulty navigating in the dark thanks to the map and the compass of her Interface.
Silksuntecks, Slane Theocracy
The room was beautiful. Cardinal Lauransan's office had a Venetian parquet floor the bottom of the walls were plaster formwork in low reliefs while the top was covered by wallpaper.
In addition to the huge marquetry desk on which Raymond Zarg Lauransan worked, several consoles supported precious vases or sculptures. Paintings and weapons adorned the top of the walls. A large Carrara marble fireplace warmed the room. A small ornate clock placed on its lintel ticked gently.
As the cardinal signed a document, placing it on the left-hand pile (resolutions to be applied) a noise resounded.
Three times.
Lauransan got up, waiting.
Two more blows rang out.
He approached a plaster panel and struck two blows in response.
There was silence... time to count to five, and then two shocks sounded followed by a third stronger.
As the code had been respected, the cardinal pressed the head of a shepherd on a low relief. There was a click and one of the panels pivoted on invisible hinges. It was a concealed door.
Laurasan blinked, surprised, as Diolaine emerged from the passage, a staircase cut directly inside the wall.
"Monsignor, you probably never went through that secret passage, it's so narrow I have back pain."
Following Diolaine, Lauransan saw Miriel appear.
The cardinal narrowed his eyes, understanding that something important was about to happen needing his full attention.
"Excuse me a moment, I must tell my secretary that I do not wish to be disturbed."
Miriel had just finished her report on the situation.
"I hope I did what Bishop Barbet wanted."
Laurasan nodded.
"If I had known, I would have sent a message. But as you understood by yourself the purpose of your trip -I take this opportunity to congratulate you for your deductive abilities- I never doubted that Pierre explained your mission to you."
"Monsignor, you mean the Theocracy's plan is really to overthrow King Decem Hougan and put Antilene in his place? Excuse me for saying this so directly but this plan will never work... Antilene hates the elves too much."
Raymond Zarg Lauransan had a strange smile.
"I agree, but Pierre had convinced me that I was wrong. He thought YOU would be able to convince Antilene."
Miriel felt a sudden heat in her chest and her eyes moistened.
She remained silent for a moment and then had a small laugh.
"Pierre, you are insufferable, even dead you manage to manipulate me... Well, okay, I will do what I can. But don't expect a miracle from me, monsignor. Miracles are your jurisdiction, not mine."
"I'm glad to hear it. Nevertheless, you made a mistake."
"A mistake" Miriel wondered.
"We investigated Jadalbaoth's ambush. We found no bodies. The demons probably disintegrated right after they were killed. Proof that they were summoned. Given the footprints and traces left by the fight, we concluded that Bishop Pierre Avice Barbet was not killed, he was kidnapped by your attackers."
Miriel remained a few moments groggy, feeling like she was hit in the face.
She's swallowing up...
"I thought... I thought he was dead."
"Miriel, I'll probably seem cold, even cruel, but I wish he was dead... in his interest as in ours."
The half-elf shook her head, the face tense by an expression of pain.
"I... I understand. He knows too much about us."
By these words the Summoner meant 'He knows too much about Miriel' but also the 'Black Scripture' and the 'Theocracy' as a whole.
"Exactly, our enemies will use all means to make Pierre speak. He's too stubborn to let it happen... I'd rather not think about what these demons are doing to him."
On his underhand, the cardinal's fingers tightened.
"One day, I wish, we will make them pay for their crimes."
There was a moment of silence.
Miriel shook her head, trying to get rid of the nagging guilt she was feeling at the time.
"I didn't come to talk to you about this... I have an idea to weaken the Sorcerer Kingdom. And by a strange coincidence, it all started with the last strategic debate I had with Pierre."
Lauransan seemed surprised for a moment.
"Pierre?"
"Yes, Bishop Barbet mentioned the method of conquest used by Ainz Ooal Gown. It can be simply summed up as 'shock and terror'. Gown crushes opponents using an extreme level of violence unnecessary for the purpose apparently pursued. Bisphop Barbet thought it was a way to strike imaginations, to impress potential enemies. Gown goal is not really 'destruction' but 'terror'. He prefers to strike once very hard so he doesn't have to repeat the demonstration."
A bit like the Star Wars Empire using the Death Star to destroy Alderande. Too bad a proton torpedo in an evacuation vent is not enough to solve the problem this time.
The cardinal nodded his head.
"The war in the Re-Estize Kingdom follows this pattern."
"Exactly" replied Miriel. "And the result is ... the death of several hundred thousand people, a record that is likely to increase since the war continues at this very moment. But already, neighboring countries are accommodating an important influx of refugees, usually nobles, wealthy bourgeois, artists, skilled craftsmen, or administrators... in short, the richest and most educated people in the Re-Estize Kingdom."
Lauransan frowned while stroking his short brown beard in a pensive manner.
"Again, you're right, but I don't see what you're getting at."
Miriel smiled.
"Oh, but it's simple. In the conquered areas, where Gown spared the population, the only people who stayed were those who were too poor to flee: peasants, shopkeepers, and small craftsmen... the policy of terror of the Sorcerer Kingdom has backfired. Anyone who can escape from the borders. The local administration has completely broken down...
Laurasan stood up.
"You're right. Our agents at E-Rantel say that the entire administration of the entire kingdom boils down to six Elder Lichs and the succubus Albedo, in addition to Ainz Ooal Gown himself."
The half-elf nodded and continued her explanation.
"... economically it is even worse, the Sorcerer Kingdom is entirely dependent on its exports of agricultural products."
"The Six Religious Sects have unanimously condemned the consumption of food produced by the work of undead... alas; it does not have as much effect as we might hope. First, Gown sells his exported foodstuff at very low prices. This unfair competition is ruining the peasants of other nations. Nevertheless, the main reason for Gown's success is the invasion of the Re-Estize Kingdom. This is a vivid example of what would happen to those who dare to oppose the Sorcerer Kingdom's monopoly. Once again, we see here the result of the policy of terror of the Sorcerer King."
The Summoner smiled ironically. If the seller sticks a gun in your left nostril as an advertising argument for his products, there is little chance that you will refuse to buy... oddly; consumer associations find this method a bit coercive...
But the cardinal changed the subject and the half-elf resumed her seriousness.
"Nevertheless, Miriel, you are mistaken in believing that the Sorcerer Kingdom is dependent on agricultural exports. Gown has gathered Runesmiths from the Dwarf Kingdom to revive the art of Runecraft. The Sorcerer Kingdom may succeed in producing quality weapons... within a few years. In the short term, it is rather an additional burden for the local economy. More importantly, in the village of Carne, alchemist Nfirea Bareare has recently developed new types of potions that are more effective than those produced by other alchemists. Large-scale production is likely to start in the coming months."
The Summoner raised her hand.
"Except that I will ruin all their hopes of making good money in this matter."
Miriel smiled as she saw Lauransan's stunned face.
Throughout her first life, Watanabe Haruko shared family meals with her parents who brought their work home. Their only topic of conversation was problems in the office and how to produce more, faster, cheaper.
She never thought that being forced to listen to them could be useful one day.
The next day.
Four huge fields had just been plowed; the peasants had been requisitioned without notice and were still surprised at being forced to sow the seeds of unknown plants.
Moreover, several cardinals observed their work, and the fields were guarded by knights in white armor. With so many important people nearby, the plowmen hardly paid any attention to the half-elf wizard who roamed the fields looking at their work with bright eyes.
The strangest thing was that they only had seeds for a small part of the fields. It was absurd to ask them to plow the entire area.
When they had finished, the half-elf turned to the Cardinals.
"Now, monsignors, it's my turn."
Her eyes suddenly squinted, she stretched out her hand forward. At her index finger of the right hand, a strange red stone began to shine. The Actorios was embedded in a tarnished silver ring covered with runes... the Ring of the Kings of Menilbonée.
"Listen to me, oh my mother.
Your daughter is begging you.
In the name of all that lives
Listen to me and take pity
I was born from the fertile land
Rain-fed
Nourished by the sun's rays
My mother you hear me and I hear you
You rocked me with the melody of creation
Once again
Come to me
You, the Entangled Woman (2)!"
The ground trembled and roots sprang out of the ground and mingled to form a powerful trunk, that of a gigantic tree that looked like a woman with bark skin. Her hair was leaves and flowers and she extended arms, which were branches, far above the fields.
Knights, peasants, even cardinals... all looked at the apparition in amazement.
The Entangled Woman, the spirit of plants and growth suddenly spoke. Her voice was like the wind in the branches.
"I was asleep, deep asleep, and your voice woke me up, my daughter. Your singing was... acceptable."
Miriel grimaced slightly... well she had never dreamed of becoming an 'Idol' so she was not upset, absolutely not!
"What do you want from me, my daughter?"
Miriel pointed to the fields.
"We have planted seeds and we would like you to help us spread these four new species. You would have to bring these plants to maturity so that we could harvest their seeds and seed the entire field."
"It's easy for me."
The Entangled Woman reached out and the plants began to grow quickly, reaching full maturity in just a few minutes. The flowers appeared and withered to make way for fruits full of seeds.
The Summoner turned to the peasants.
"Harvest the seeds. We will have to repeat the operation several times and it will be each time longer than the previous time, so hurry!"
Then, the same day in the evening.
In a Silksuntecks alchemy lab, dozens of Wizards watched a liquid drip out from a glass spiral.
When the orange liquid stopped flowing, Miriel took the graduated glass container.
"Here's a Strong Healing Potion."
She turned on herself so that everyone could see the result.
"Now that you know the alchemical recipe, you can start brewing potions yourself. But before we start, do you have any questions? Does the process seem clear to you or do you need more explanations?"
They had some questions and she tried to answer them. For the most part, they asked about the heating temperature of the mixture, the cooling time... that kind of thing.
Of all the cardinals, only Laurasan had remained to attend the distillation of the first potion. As Miriel walked among the benches where the alchemists were chopping leaves, crushing seeds, grinding roots in mortars, monitoring their work, and correcting their mistakes, he joined her.
"I'm impressed, Miriel. You've managed to create an entire industry in one day."
Miriel nodded while watching the alchemists.
"The important thing is that you sell these potions as cheaply as possible and to all factions... even to your enemies. You have a monopoly, since this potion is the result of a mixture of four plants that do not exist in this world... except here, in Silksuntecks. You could impose whatever price you want; you could even use it to bend the elven kingdom to submission. But that would be a big mistake. Nevertheless, you should not forget that the goal is not to enrich yourself. All wars are economic wars. I provided you with a weapon for your war against the Sorcerer Kingdom. You have to saturate the market with an affordable superior product to cause the bankruptcy of competitors... namely Nfirea Bareare, and his master: Gown. Does not a proverb say: "Money is the sinews of war"? One thing is for sure, the fate of weapons always favors the best-equipped and best-trained army, therefore the richest nation."
Laurasan jolted, suddenly understanding something.
"Monopoly? That's why you left the Entangled Woman in the middle of the fields?"
"Exactly, it's the spirit of plant growth and the spirit of vegetal life. It hates undead and demons. If one of Gown's minions entered the fields to steal the plants or set the fields on fire, it would awaken. The wrath of the Entangled Woman is slow to awaken, but deep and enduring. She is powerful enough to exterminate an army of demons."
—at least when Elric of Menilbonée invoked her, she finished mentally. She was less confident in her own Summoner abilities.
" It may take me a while to create a new recipe... alchemy is not my specialty. In addition, I try to integrate the alchemical components of the New World, which should facilitate production. This will also allow giving work to the peasants who suffer from the competition of the Sorcerer Kingdom."
Laurasan looked at the half-elf with squinted eyes.
"Why are you doing all this for us? You want some of the profits, I guess?"
She looked up at the heaven.
The cardinal had such strong prejudice against her that he did not even realize that she did not need the Theocracy's help to get rich.
"You summoned me to fight the Sorcerer Kingdom and Jaldabaoth? That's what I do! Since I have no chance of defeating Gown in a head-on fight, I use other methods. As for money..." she sighed. "Money doesn't matter to me, Monsignor... it's just a unit of measure to calculate wealth. And what is wealth? They are decent houses to house everyone, food for all the hungry people, roads and bridges well maintained. However, the Robble Holy Kingdom needs funding to fight Jaldabaoth. I have to go back to Targos. If you give me money I'll use it to feed the people of this besieged city and strengthen its defenses."
(1) Fire Lash is a spell invented by Miriel. I think a psychologist would find it fascinating that a victim of bullying invents a combat technique that aims to paralyze the opponent and let him burn slowly. You may also remember that she used Spiderweb and Death Cloud in Abellion Hill Dungeon (chapter04). This spell combination was nicknamed 'Noob killer' by the OOO players. Tangled cobwebs would imprison any opponent without sufficient resistance to magic. Immobilized, they were victims of the clouds of gas. Miriel is sooo cute...
(2) The Entangled Woman appears in volume 6 of the series Elric (The Revenge of the Rose). Elric de Menilbonnée summons her to stop a Chaos' army.