He rides again on his mount once more, this time, accompanied by both Kaguya and Chloe, also mounted alongside him as he retraces his steps from 7 years ago. They were looking for the same exact fort that gave him his magic... Problem is... How? It's been 7 years, and not only that, is the place he went to even correct? It has been a long time since then, and even Chloe is on the verge of giving up. He can't even blame the poor girl, this is a wild goose chase.
As to why he's looking for the tower in the first place. Well, maybe he'll get some answers there, learn more about as to why the demon has those kinds of expectations for him, much less why they're so vague. Why are entities like that so vague anyway? It wouldn't kill them to at least explain why they think like that... Then again, if they were, it won't be as fun for them, or cause a self-fulfilling prophecy without intending to... Maybe that's why it didn't explain what it meant by proving it wrong, or proving it right. Because if it did, it will most certainly get the answer opposite answer out of spite. Now that he thinks about it, the same thing is happening to him... Is he only looking for the demon to prove it wrong out of spite? Or prove it right by falling into the same darkness and corruption that others fell before.
He... He doesn't know. He didn't think he'd have this kind of mental conundrum, much less this moral conundrum... Throughout his life, when he was beginning to learn, he had his belief of magic neither being evil, nor good, just is. All of it dependent on the intent of the user, but now... Maybe that kind of thinking is a thing for a reason, because not every single kind of magic can be seen in such a grey light. Good luck trying to justify making a deal with a demon that will absolutely claim not just your soul, but your firstborn child for the greater good.
Granted, he didn't make any kind of contract with it, it just gave the tower, and the book, but now, he's wondering if he actually did sign some form of it by just... accepting what it gave to him, and he didn't think twice about it, all because he wanted to prove that his philosophy had some kind of merit... For a man that claimed that his judgement would prevent him from making mistakes, he is only now realizing that his hubris made him fall onto the clutches of this demon.
"Are we even going the right way?" He heard Chloe whine, and her horse just stops, allowing her to slump her shoulders in mild annoyance. "Look, I'm not expecting that we can find it, I just want to know if what we're doing is right so far."
"I'm not sure if I can even answer that question." He said, making her groan. "It has been 7 years, and last I checked, it's only been... 4 or 5 months since I've gotten out."
"Do you at least remember how you got there?"
"The only thing I remember was a wisp coming up to me while it was dark and misty... I saw it, followed it, and that's where I found the tower." He said, trying to remember anything else he missed, but he came up with nothing.
"Didn't you have ghouls and wraiths as part of your army? What did you do with them?" Kaguya prodded, which thankfully, did make Kazuma remember something.
"I did... I don't have them anymore because I sent them back to the fort to defend it just in case. Considering that we're having a hard time finding it, that might have been a waste of time." He says, thinking about it. For all he knows, he was just overthinking it, and the very same wisp will come to him once more, it's just a matter of him not being sure if it's either the right time.
"We should stop, and make ourselves a camp here. If my memory serves me right, the wisp that brought me there should come out in the dark... Should save us the embarrassment of looking for it so hard when it was so simple."
"At least you're honest about it." Chloe grumbled out of mild annoyance as she comes off her horse, and preparing everything for their camp.
The necromancer did provide some help by putting together the campfire. Placing the firewood in it's neat little pile and making a sizable ring of stones for it, he also plucked some of the grass and added it to the pile with the tinder. Of course, such a thing wasn't exactly needed, but hey, if it means saving up at least a few more strands of dried fibers, might as well stuff it with some grass. Especially since he does cast a small fireball to ignite it to save the flint. With that done, Chloe made a tripod, along with a base of sticks bundled in the middle of it to serve as some kind of improvised stovetop just above the flame so the sticks themselves don't burn. Kazuma watched as Chloe grabbed a small pot and filled it with some water, dried meat that she cubed herself, and throws in some dried fruits and veggies with some dark brown sheets of something that seemed like translucent leather before setting it over at the rack, proving the tripod to be sturdy too. He couldn't help but think about how natural this was for someone like her, much less looking like it was a simple job to do than some kind of chore.
It didn't take long for her to notice, and as her long, elven ears twitched a little bit.
"What, didn't think I can do something like this?" She said, snapping him out of his stupor. He quickly, and timidly apologized, and Kaguya was giggling a little bit as she heard them. She only gave him a small smile to put him at ease before she continued. "With the things that I have been through... You learn some things, and well, they come in handy."
Kazuma can only look at her in the eyes when she said those words, and he was brought back into thinking about how things were going. It was... a topic that he couldn't stop thinking about every now and then. He doesn't even know if he was haunted by it, or just something that seems important. Yet, despite whatever doubt he's feeling, seeing Chloe and Kaguya being somewhat at ease makes him feel just a little bit better with how things were going, much less the choices he has made. War is always going to be a heavy subject, especially if you were the one that started it, and fighting it in the first place... He looked at his hands again, and he clenched it into a fist... He started to see them shake, even if by a little bit. It was something that didn't go unnoticed by the Shrine Maiden, and she gently held them, somewhat reminding him that... Things should be fine, hopefully. At least to him, anyway.
"We'll find our answers, don't worry." She said to him, reaffirming him that things will be okay, and he found himself calming down to at least the best of his ability.
"Still, in regards to you and your ambition..." He heard Chloe say as she stretches a little. ""It's quite bold, not going to lie. To believe that you can master both sides of magic without being corrupted... You sure it will work?"
"That's the one thing I thought I was sure in..." He said. "But ever since that one conversation with that Demon, I'm doubting myself. As much as us getting our answers, this is probably going to be the first time I'm anxious over something like this. Back then, I had my doubts, but I took the risk, and now... I don't even know if all of this was worth it."
"Better be... We've been through enough, it's time for it all to end."
Kazuma nodded at those words, and as the sun sets, he huddles around the fire with his companions. They partook in the stew that was made, and shared some japes here and there, mostly enjoying each other's company as the night comes into view. Now, it's only a matter of time to see if he was correct, and the wisp he saw years ago will come to him, guide him.
However... Doubt crept to his mind... Doubt, because as time went on, there was no sign. Sure, it could've just been them being impatient, but they've already been searching for it through the entire day, and hours into the night, there doesn't seem to be any sign of it now. He starts to feel like an idiot because of it, but he reminded himself to stay calm, not get too angry about it. For all he knows, it'll come when it decides to, not when he wants it to.
"Welp, I'm going to sleep." Chloe declared. "Wake me up when the thing or whatever comes, because I'm not going to wait all nigh for what you said to happen."
"Be patient, Chloe. It will come." Kaguya said to her.
"I am being patient." She retorted to the maiden. "But I can't just wait forever if I'm not even sure if it will even come, much less if it will. Not saying it won't come, but what I am saying is that I can't just sit here, waiting for what could be nothing. Look, just wake me up if it comes, okay? Not like I'll be far."
Kaguya only sighed at that as Chloe went to her sleeping mat and tucked herself in. Kazuma on the other hand, looked up at the stars on the nightly sky, and watches them as the crackling sound of embers stimulates his ears. Not long after that, even he found himself tucked in his own sleeping mat, and decided to follow Chloe's lead, sleeping it off to pass the time.
He felt something on his nose, something that feels soft, feathery, and definitely rubbing up on his nose that he couldn't help but open his eyes, and look for the source of his annoyance.
It was the wisp again. It fluttered around his face as if it wanted him to wake up, and proceeded to zoom away from him, as if it was the same thing again 7 years ago. He got up, and took steps to follow it until he remembered, he has to let the others know about this. He turned around, and promptly go in to wake both Chloe and Kaguya up. They finally got to this point, he isn't going to waste any opportunity for them to get their answers.
The first one he went to was Chloe, and she... was not too happy about it.
"5 more minutes..." She grumbled. "Besides, it's not like it's coming now."
"But it is here." Kazuma urged. "We have a chance to get our answers now."
"Sleep first, answers later." She whined, and pouts in her grogginess as she tries her hardest to remain sleeping.
"But the wisp is here. Your questions can be answered now."
"Can you tell it to wait...?" She whined. "Girl needs her sleep."
He can only sigh at her persistence, but he couldn't blame her. Fortunately for him, she did wake up, and groggily rubbing her eyes as she tries to get up. Seems she decided to get it over with and bear through her interrupted sleep. She wasted no time in doing the same thing to Kaguya, but for the Necromancer's sake, she woke up without a fuss, and she got up on her feet, stretching after the fact.
"It's here, right?"
Kazuma nodded at her inquiry, but he couldn't help but sneak a glance at the wisp, as if to confirm that the wisp is here, and to ensure that he's not the only one seeing this thing. The wisp only seemed confused and flew over to him, circling around them as if it was inspecting them all. He let out a breath that he didn't know he was holding, as if it he was desperate for relief... Maybe because he was concerned he was the only one who could see it. He looked around some more while the girls acquaint themselves with the wisp, and he saw the same mist from all those years ago... No, no point in reminiscing about the past for now, what matters is to keep moving forward.
The wisp knew this well, and flew ahead, stopping just ahead of the Necromancer, as if to make sure that he can see it, and to guide him. When he took his steps, it flew ahead. He glanced back to look at the girls, and they both waved at him... He took a deep breath and sighed and kept on moving.
As they kept on going, he saw the outline of the fort from within the mist, starting to come into view. It was only dawning on him with the fact that he didn't how... mystical and ominous the place really was. A strange, abandoned fortress only appearing in a sunless sky, ever shrouded with a green mist that the only way to get to it was through a wisp that came to you in the first place. Don't get him wrong, he knew that the place was strange back then, but he really didn't think much about it until it was... oh, how can he say this? He knew, but didn't really think much about it until now.
Regardless, the only thing that matters is confronting that demon again, and it appears that it was somewhat aware as he sees a crowd just outside by the fort's gates as he and the others got closer... The very same Ghouls and Wraiths he used to command earlier in his war. They were useful back then, as they were the backbone of his army when he was raiding bandit groups and settlements at the time. When the undead horde grew to the point that he could somewhat scatter them across the continent, he decided to send them away, go back to the fort, maybe keep an eye on it. Had he knew that the fort would just... disappear, he would've had them stick around like they were some impromptu elite force someone like him.
Now that he thinks about it... If the fort could disappear, basically making it safe from the war, then how did Kin and the other Black Dogs got in then? It's not like the Wisp led them here like it did for him.
When he got to the fort now, he suddenly felt tension when the Wraiths and Ghouls not just looked at them, but encircled them... It was clear that they recognized him, yes, and they don't seem to be hostile to both Kaguya and Chloe, but it became very clear to him that he... He never really controlled them. They followed and obeyed, yes, but that didn't really mean he reigned over them, especially as he realizes this as he looks at the Ghoul that came to him, and stared him down.
He... He really should've realized many of these things back then. As he saw how surprisingly intimidating a Ghoul can be when it was standing upright, making it 6 feet tall in height, and how despite it looking quite skinny and frail, it sharp claws and teeth would absolutely be able to rip any poor soul into shreds, especially adding onto the fact that it's frailness can make it fast, and agile. It may not be able to take a lot of hits, but it's swiftness and agressive lethality can make up for it. Same thing applies with the Wraiths too since due to their spectral guise, and their weapons, unless you know how to use magic, or know how to use a magical weapon, you won't be able to hurt it, but it can kill you.
It was only until he heard his own nervous gulp that he realized that he was starting to feel nervous, and the place he once made a home off started to become the very dark place for what it was, and it wasn't even lying before, he just never thought about it due to his own desire, ambition, and his own belief that he himself can use his own judgement to protect himself from the consequences... He doesn't even know if he was cocky back then, but it appears that in his own caution, he unknowingly made himself blind.
They soon parted, making free way for them to pass through. But he didn't, not wanting to take another step. The wisp even went as far as to try and nudge him to go, but he wouldn't, as if his body was telling him that he would die if he even thought about it going in... But at the same time, he already got this far, and it would just be disappointing for his friends if he just quit right now. With as much courage he can muster, he walks in, following the wisp into the walls, ready to confront at least this part in his own past.
He looked around at the dusty walls of the indoor courtyard, remembering on how rundown the place was, and still is today. Never really bothering to at least dust the place as he mostly kept to his studies of dark magic. Reading, learning, and practicing many spells that made him at least, in his own eyes, a mage that he was today. Of course, that still doesn't change the fact that he is here again, wondering about everything.
"Not gonna lie, for a place that is magical, it could have at least bothered to be neat and tidy." Chloe grumbled.
"I'm not really one to question such things... but I agree, there's no reason for it to be all... unclean." Kaguya agreed.
"Last time I was here, it wasn't that dusty." Kazuma said in mild defense for the place. "But then again, I mostly stuck to two areas, so I didn't realize this was unkempt."
Chloe can only sighed, but there's no point in whining about it. Besides, what they're doing here is to get answers, ask whatever demon that Kazuma consorted with, and just beat the answers out of it if it's so adamant in being cryptic about, well, everything.
The question now is this... How the fuck are they gonna contact it?
Kazuma seemed to pick up from what she was thinking, and seemed to cringe at it. Funny how he didn't think about something as important as this, especially since this was supposed to be the entire point of this trip. Yet, it seemed that they didn't think about how they could even talk to the enigmatic entity.
Regardless, they looked around, maybe searching for clues as to how they can call for it. Surely there is a way for such a being contacted, right? As they looked at the tables, the books, even looking at the dusty, grimy walls to see if there maybe runes that can be pushed, but... nothing seems to turn up. Kazuma can only sigh, and maybe decides that being here... could have been a waste of time. Before he was able to let the others know... He suddenly shuddered, and a cold chill comes to him, and that went unnoticed with his party.
"Are you alright, Kazuma?" Kaguya asked, and the necromancer shook his head.
Then he heard footsteps, and in one corridor, it glowed brightly... What came out gave him fear, fear that he doesn't even understand why it came to him, but it just did. He immediately took a step back, but he only tripped and fell, his companions wasted no time in trying to help, but he noticed one thing...
They don't seem to be scared...
"I see that you decided to come over... I thought what I said to you was enough, but here you are, still chasing for answers." He heard a familiar voice call out, and he saw it clearly... It was the demon.
Both Chloe and Kaguya looked, and while they weren't as scared as him, their eyes widened the same. The entity that they saw was thin... lithe, as if it was bordering on the verge of being a walking skeleton, or someone that has been fasting for just a smidge too long. That wasn't the strangest part however, they saw that the mist seems to follow it, obscuring both it's frame, while giving enough away that there is a shape enveloping it, a vaguely effeminate form, for an entity that seems to be only illuminated by green eyes.
"You've already come this far, so it appears that I have no choice but to entertain your questions... I won't hold you up, so take all the time you need." It said... Or more appropriately 'She' said. "I'll be as dry and blunt if it really matters to you."
"You really mean that..?" He asked at it, and it stared at him, as if it's very gaze was aimed at his soul.
"Since you already came all this way, then yes, I will make it as clear as possible." It said, this time, he can feel some form of snide judgement from it's tone.
Chloe and Kaguya both looked at each other, and they nodded their heads. They looked at the entity once more, and asked their question.
"What are you planning with all of this? What kind of game are you playing at, and are you going to be a problem because of this?" Chloe asked, her shortsword pointed at the entity with her teeth grit into a snarl.
Unfortunately for her, it did not seem perturbed, much less intimidated... But it answers their question nonetheless.
"None. I don't have anything planned for any of you, nor do I even have anything ulterior... the only thing I have a stake on, it's him." It says as it keeps it's eyes on Kazuma. "Him, and the stranger. I do not trust that man, the one with the axe... Not from here, but he isn't a visitor. He didn't come here because he wanted to. He came here because the Gods wanted him to, wanted to watch what he can do... Gods not from here, and Gods beyond my strength, and my will."
Kaguya's eyes widened at that. Because if there's anything that she knows about a man with an axe, it would be Dennis. As to why she would know? It's because he was the one that pretty much helped when the lords betrayal came together... She knew that he wasn't from here, since she can always tell if someone is familiar, or not at the same time. Yet, if the entity itself is saying that he came here because of Gods much more... beyond with the way how it described them... Why would they send him over here? Was it so he can be a pawn? Or be their eyes? The only thing she can't help but think about when it comes to this is the fact that one of the Gods joined in, at least, back at the fiasco with the Conglomerate. What could be their goal?
"They don't need a reason." It said, as if it was answering her question. "They see through his eyes, hear through his ears... More than anything, he entertains them, and that's why he's here."
"And what about me?" Kazuma butted in. Turning it around, so they don't waste their time. "With what you said to me back when I was dead. Were you really honest about the things you said?"
"Does it really bother if it was so vague...?"
"Yes!" He yelled. "Yes, it does! For years, I have thought that I knew everything! I knew what I was doing, what I was intending... Everything! I thought everything was fine until... You told me that it depends. What does it depend on? Me staying on course, or no? I can't tell! I can't tell anymore if I even am."
The entity only stared at him, as if his outburst didn't faze it. Kaguya and Chloe also looked at him, and they say that he was on the verge of tears, or at least, overwhelmed by whatever emotions he is feeling. For him, it doesn't matter, not now anyway. Whether this was a matter of insecurity, doubtfulness, or whatever... He felt troubled by the fact that he doesn't feel sure anymore. Sure, the demon didn't say anything about him trailing to another path, but the fact that it was so vague made him concerned.
"I suppose it is my fault for planting the seeds of doubt... I never intended to, but then again, I suppose that's what I get." It lamented as it focused on him. "For the reasons why it was so vague, it was so that I can see myself having both answers. Hard to invest in one possible future for you, only to lose it all when you start to stray, so when I choose both, I win regardless. Gambling on the strands of fate is much more bothersome than to gamble on games and fortune."
"So all of this was about you not wanting to lose?!" Chloe yelled out exasperatedly. "All this time, I was concerned, we were concerned that we had to deal with him, but all of this was just you not wanting to make a bet?!"
"And some of you are willing to rig your bets so you can have a better odd of winning." It retorted. "If you mortals can do such things, then why can't I? Regardless, any answer goes. What matters more is what path you do going forward."
"But how can I be so sure that every movement I make, it leads me to the right path?!" Kazuma yelled out, making it look at him again. Even then, you know the answers, so how come you're not telling us?! How come you're not telling me if I even know what I'm doing is right?"
"I thought I made myself clear." It retorted. "I was vague, because not even I know what would ultimately become of you. For all you know, you're already set in your path. Are you fearful of what would happen to you if you fail?"
"Yes." He said, trying to reign in the emotions that might send him flying. "At first, i was so sure. Now, I don't know. I don't know if I'm about to fall into a pit of my own hubris, and I don't even know if I'm even failing myself."
"You doubt yourself, even though you have seen the answers yourself?" It said to him, it's gaze boring deeper now. "You walked confidently, you knew what you were doing. Even if you started this war selfishly at one point, you still managed to be altruistic enough to save them. Instead of being their new master. Not only that, was this part of your plan when you got that book? Are you really that worried that you'll corrupt yourself?"
"I just needed to know if I really am on the right path, that's why I came to you..." He said. "After all of that, I just... don't know. You said it yourself, you wanted to be vague, just so either which path I choose, you win, so I don't know if things are going well. My mind just goes into circles, and even I am speaking in circles. I just really need to know, please."
The entity only stared him down, and seemed to sigh, before walking closer to him. His two companions stepped back, Chloe ready to throw her knife at it should things go ugly, but so far, nothing seems to be happening. It raised his hand, and Chloe was about to initiate the fight until it gently brought it's hand down, and petted him, either as some kind of sad, crying pup, or someone lost and needs comfort. Regardless, the gesture was unusually intimate for such a tense setting.
"Did you not believe yourself back then? Did you not believe that your judgement is enough to ensure that you yourself will be uncorrupted by it's grasp? You've done so much good, and now, you doubt yourself because you could fail? I suppose that's good." It said to him, and he can only look at it in confusion by it's own attempt at comforting him. "You still managed to do a great deal of good, and more than anything... I should advise you to be measured in what you do. Caution, like you have always had when you started your reading. Just because I myself, is unsure whether or not you'll turn out bad, does not mean it is set in stone. For when you walk the edge of cliffs, do you not watch your steps so you do not fall?"
"So I just have to be careful then?" He asked of it, and it seemed to chuckle.
"Weren't you already being careful? What matters more are the actions you're willing to take, and you ensuring that you do not let your own hubris take control of what you believe in. When one walks the path of believing they can do no wrong for too long, nothing will convince them of being guilty in their own faults. Many things can happen after all, and if you have to gamble, you have to be careful what you're betting on, and how much you have been betting on, lest you find yourself in the pits when you were once flying high."
The entity then removed it's hand from his head, and he looked back at Kaguya and Chloe. Even though he himself didn't save them, he did pave the path for it, and if he himself was no different than the dogs he fights against, then they would be in chains, and he wouldn't even be having this conversation. Maybe it was just doubt clouding his mind, enslaved by it as he came all this way just because he was concerned that he will become a dark lord. And yet, despite that, he still can't deny that the two still stand before him.
If he is to become a Dark Lord, then so be it. What he's doing might as well be making history, why not be the Necromancer who cared? The Dark Lord who loved? He doesn't know if songs will be made, or if stories of him will inspire will be made, who knows. One thing for sure is this... If you're going to be something like that, why not break the mold and be something new?
Why not use his dark magic for good? He already was trying to do it, might as well show that it can.
The thoughts he brewed made him feel... invigorated, inspired somewhat. All that matters now is actually finishing what he started, and make his dream real. The entity released him, and he took a deep breath.
"Are you now content with your answer?" The entity asked him, and he looks at it one last time.
"I think I already knew the answer... I was just scared that I'd make a fool of myself. I guess I didn't stop to think if I was... doubting myself, but since you made it clear... Who am I to stop?" He said to it, as he walks out with Kaguya and Chloe.
As they walk, they couldn't help but look at each other, as if they were still unsure. They got their answers, yes, but what happens next? Truth be told, that still lies in uncertainty... Maybe it could be lying, or maybe it could be telling the truth, but there's no point in it dwelling any longer. Kazuma seems more motivated now, motivated to have his ambition realized, and hopefully, people can understand his point of view.
And if he were to prove that not all aspects of Dark Magic was evil, then he has an answer to what they should be doing next. Beat the Black Dogs once and for all, and have Eostia reclaimed for it's people to see. As they left the old ruined keep, they saw the abominants one last time... Kazuma stopped as he looked at them, as if he was reminiscing about them. He decided to go to one of the wraiths there, one that looked like a knight. Both of them stared at each other until... the knight moved forward, along with the ghouls following the lead. The garrison at the fort seemed willing to spare a good number of them as Kazuma rebuilds his army, and it was a sight to behold.
[Days later]
{Ingham}
As days pass since then, the weirdest thing that people have noticed isn't just the fact that there was some semblance of peace, but there was seemingly no retaliation from any of the Black Dogs, at least, not a major counter offensive. There was some extortion here and there, but raids are nonetheless seem to have come to an end, as if the idea of the victims rising from their shallow graves scared them in a karmic sort of way. Sure, they could have just burned the bodies to prevent it, but it seems that they decided not to in fear that the bones left behind might still be of use the dark lord, but the practice seemed to stop, as if the raiding parties were worried that such a thing would make them vulnerable. Of course, that isn't exactly news, as this has been happening since the months he waged war. Not only was the year about to end, but big changes have happened since in this relatively short span of time.
Something of which that even Ingham finds unusual.
"Those dogs are up to something." He said as he had a hot cup of tea next to him, looking out the window as Shiromi whistles at a songbird.
"I mean, when weren't they?" She replied to him as she let it flew away. "Then again, do you think it's time for us to call a meeting? After all, we have been seeing some of them remaking ships, some even calling in favors elsewhere."
"Replenishing... Hmm... Seems that ever since Volt had his narrow run with death, he seems to be keen on cooping up in that palace where Olga and Chloe once were."
"True, but honestly, the odd thing was that it doesn't seem to be fortified." She added. "More than anything, it seems that they are moving down south to the coastline. Wouldn't be surprised they're building a keep there."
"Are they planning a retreat then? If so... this could be a problem. In the one hand, they're leaving, but who's to say they won't invade once more." He inquired as both of their heads think for a solution.
"Well, Phoeri has been managing Clearwater city for a while now, reclaimed since it was his fief. Should we let him know and mount a naval offensive?" She asked.
"We would if we have much of a navy left, and not only that, they were able to make a blockade around the waters there. The pirates maybe unorganized since the death of their captain, but that didn't stop them from getting something done since they can always elect a new one." Ingham lamented. Granted, the blow Phoeri landed on Bellamy's fleet was no laughing matter, some of the houses were still loyal to the Black Dogs, making sure that whatever ships they had in their navy, effectively still capable of supporting the mercs, making it quite a conundrum.
Despite that, the change of events is quite intriguing. This could be there chance to finally put the nails in the coffin for the Black Dogs. Destroying them before they have a chance to recover, and hopefully, even if they escaped, what would that matter? They will be so beaten and broken, there will be no choice for them but to disband.
But that is going to need planning, and to discuss it with the other lords. They wasted no time in returning to the secret chambers after they have sent the others a message. Time passes, and not long after that, the last seat has now been taken by the last one to come, and a surprising one too as this was none other than Olga Discordia herself, going over to see their meeting.
Looking back on it, Ingham couldn't help but find it amusing looking back after the first blow they landed on Volt. When they came into their secret meeting chambers after the battle at Ken when they turned the tables on him during the feast, on how some of the people there, along with Bledri himself seemed unanimous with the idea of choosing to support Kazuma. He wasn't sure if he was looking for an opportunity like some kind of slimy weasel, or the fact that trying to run a country properly was getting on his nerves when people would rather just go around stuffing the next pussy they saw than... well, actually running a land.
Regardless, everyone is here now, and Shiromi began the discussion as she unfurled a map that showed off their lands, and pointed at Olga's palace with her knife.
"Okay, as you all may know, things have been relatively peaceful since the blow Volt sustained those moons ago. Whether or not he is dead or alive, whatever is being said through the grapevine is irrelevant, as it is telling that they haven't made a major move since then. More than anything, they seem to be cooped up there."
"Easy to say if you haven't looked a it in the smaller scale." Retorted Wilkes. "I don't know about you, but there have been raids happening across the rural lands, taking the crops and hunting the wildlife. It may be a non-issue, but I'd be damned to think that the Wild Hunt should go unpunished for their transgressions."
"While true, they haven't exactly killed anyone yet, and not only that, we'd be wasting our time dealing with them since they're nothing more but hunters and poachers." Retorted Gellard. "More than anything, if we are to retaliate, who's to say that they won't strike back?"
"And you are not wrong, friend. However, I would also like to ask this. Are you worried that such an act is justification needed for the dogs to try and retaliate? We are already long past that point, and in turn, no point in trying to pretend that our concerns lie here." Another lord argued with him.
The people in attendance talked to themselves, agreeing with what he said. After all, is there really a concern anymore? War's already waged, so why does it matter if hostilities will return if they retaliate against the Wild Hunt, they're already at war with Volt, so... That's just a concern that, while valid, meaningless. Maybe it would have held weight back when the Necromancer was just rumor, but that matters little with where they are now.
Despite that, the peace they have right now is nothing more of a ceasefire. It's only a matter of time until the dogs start marching down once more, and what also doesn't help is that the settlers are getting agitated too with the rampant poaching... Ingham started thinking to himself, wondering what the best course of action would be. As far as what army they could field right now, Kazuma's brand new haul would undoubtedly prove useful, as he managed to bring to them 250 of wherever he came from. The horde of ghouls and wraiths would undoubtedly be useful as of right now, but that is only on his end. He maybe doing well in rebuilding his army of the dead, but the question remains upon the living. What can they offer?
He has been getting reports that the youth have been training to fight, being able to create their weapons by making simple mallets and clubs, remaking their old, worn down scythes and sickles as their swords as they made their armor from both wooden planks and bales of straw, strung along by nails and fat. Flattering, and can be useful, but they are green. Too green, greener than the grass and the cheese they have made. The prisoners are a good contender too, as some of them were old warriors that were arrested for refusing to join, the only reason for them avoiding execution lied upon the rogue mercs wanting to break their minds, so maybe they should help. As much as he wanted to, the foreigners are useless, for they pulled out not too long ago, not wanting to be further involved in their conflict, only requesting some of their religious relic and text for their scripture. He can't blame them, really, but it still miffed him since they made that plan worth salvaging.
Now that he thought of it... Not all of the prisoners were old warriors, a good portion of them are the Brotherhood. Maybe it's worth looking into them, as all he needs is one of them turning heel to save their own skin, and some of them are decent warriors. Decent enough to train anyone needed. He'll leave this up for a poll as he simmered on it.
"As much as the Wild Hunt seem low in our priorities, I do think that we should deal with them. Whether or not they have killed anyone is irrelevant, they have effectively proven themselves to be a nuisance worth dealing as they continue their raids. As for the youths that seem willing to fight, as it pains me to say, we'll test their mettle against them." He said, and the people looked at him.
"Are you suggesting we should send green boys to fight them?" Olga argued calmly. "If you ask me, that seems foolish. Not to say that the idea doesn't have it's merits, I'm just questioning it's validity."
"It is not really something that I'm considering to be a serious issue, not enough to warrant any of our armies to arrive. Especially since some of the village youths are getting ready to fight. But if they are to be serious, then it's a good idea to test their might." He responded. "The lords here are for the most part, doing fine with their Men-at-arms. Should these green boys get the experience that war can bring, then we can only hope this is worth something."
"And that is why I'm willing to levy an argument against it. I will not have the sons of the peasantry be sent to a grinder just because they want to." She said to him. "If we are to consider going after the Wild Hunt, then there has to be another way."
"She is right." A lord said in agreement. "It will be a waste of life, and even then, we still have an army, it's not like were that desperate. Sure, the undead army is still rebuilding, but we haven't wasted our time with the recruitment. It just seems risky for something so minor."
"Well, we can't just have them keep on extorting us! More than anything, we don't have to mobilize an army, all we have to do is spare some of our lads, teach them the discipline, while at the same time, secure those lands for our supplies. We may have our lands, yes, but if we want to continue the fight while we wait for our friend to rebuild his army, we're going to need a lot more food than what our serfs can provide." Another lord argued, and some of them did agree, for the logistics are going to be needed if they were to maintain their armies.
"It doesn't have to be an actual scale conflict." Ingham added. "All I'm proposing is that we can't exactly ignore them, especially since it's hard to decipher what Volt is doing right now. Until then, we should see them as a priority for now. For all we know, this is happening so we can't just harvest the trees and foraging."
He then turned his eyes to a lord, and pointed at him. "Now that we have settled on at least providing a small contingent of our men, I need a clearer idea in where they operate here in this map. I have heard that they are operating in the southern regions, right underneath Geofu, is that correct?"
The lord nodded. "Claudia herself is also aware about the Wild Hunt's extortions, and there actually has been skirmishes between the patrols and them. I don't know how the rumors didn't pick up on that, especially since it is getting serious since the dogs are now losing ground."
That much is true. Out of the Seven Shields are reclaiming their old forts, the from the middle and eastern side of the realm have pretty much reclaimed them, either be from successful coups, negotiations, or even just outright handing over the fort because they couldn't handle it.
He will forever keep laughing about the fact that Kaguya outright got her Fort back because the Dogs and Olga's old monster army just couldn't be bothered to actually face the Undead that when Kaguya arrived, they just gave it to her and willingly defected because they didn't want to have their bodies be reanimated. He could only imagine the look on the Shield's face when she arrived with a force, ready to lay siege, and just... having it be given to you in a silver platter all because they were frightened by her one connection.
"They aren't just in Geofu. They pretty much have been an annoyance in forests anywhere south." Another yelled out. "It's not just them extorting villagers is our concern, it's because they're stopping us from getting lumber. It's only a matter of time until they themselves make the price of wood the same as steel. We have our orchards yes, but we can only rely on them so much just so we can make our doors."
"I'm surprised Kazuma hasn't heard about this." Shiromi muttered to Ingham with a tired look in her eyes.
"I'm more surprised by the fact that a band of poachers and hunters are becoming more of a threat." He muttered back. "I don't know if we're just being petty, can't get our stories straight, or anything really for that matter."
As they talked amongst the each other, it slowly becomes clear that the early reservations that the other lords had were now shifting to be in support of actually directing their soldiers against the hunt, as the lords all share their anecdotes with their dealings of the group as some of them have recounted their woodsmen being forced out of the groves, caravans being looted and ransacked, overall, just a shitty experience that showed that even though the Wild Hunt itself might not necessarily pose a big enough threat to warrant the war to course over to them, one thing became clear.
They were saboteurs. Able to sneak in under their noses, and getting away with their deeds by either coercing people to downplay their impact, or people were so utterly desperate for having something so close to peace, they were willing to lie about how calm things have been.
Now that this is being brought to question, even Ingham reconsidered his stance on this. What game are they trying to play at? What could they gain by trying to be some kind of band of outlaws that prowl with merry men. As he thinks, he couldn't help but feel like this is pointing to a trap. Not a trap in the sense that they will lose the war if they fall for it, but more like as a distraction. Why else would they go this far? For them to strike their glory? No, that doesn't seem to be the case.
Either way, it appears that whatever scheme has now been cooked up for them... He'll have no choice but to bite it. Whatever game Volt is playing at right now, it's clear that he wants them to fall for this trick, and even though this wasn't some kind of grand plan that's rooted in another web of schemes and lies, but rather, a simple and effective plan that's telling them to look away.
And boy, do they have no choice but to look. As it saddens him to say, but it's a better use of their time to put out the fires than to catch the arson. Strange analogy, he knows, but what matters now is that this needs to be dealt with soon.
Sufficed to say in regards to Volt, he's lucky that the lure he casts was a good one.
=Some Time Later=
"I am sorry, but what?" Kazuma asked him, confused by the news he has received. "Look, I know what the issue is, but nobody told me about... any of this. I was at Geofu, Claudia should've told me."
"Either whatever the reason she had, she kept it from you. Don't see this as an act of conspiratorial reason, she just didn't want to worry you... Probably." Ingham said to him, as if to soothe his concerns. "Either way, it appears that we have a new concern now."
"And surely you can tell that this is just another of Volt's schemes, right?" He asked him. "One conspiracy worked, another failed. At this point, conspiracies have been the one thing we've been throwing at each other, and I'm tired of another one."
"Well, I doubt this is a conspiracy of trying to get us to kill each other. This just seems to be some diversionary tactic so he can plan something while he licks his wounds. Whether or not he wanted to make them useful, the hunters themselves had pretty much established to be quite a huge problem in the amount of time of you... well, rebuilding your army." Shiromi added. "Either way, we can't ignore them for long, and we can't keep on waiting for you to rebuild yours to full strength."
"Hold on, you're making it sound like as if I was busy fucking around since I debuted. Look, I am well aware that my magic had a great impact, it's just... I wasn't expecting that I would have managed to reanimate some fossils from long ago, okay, and I have seen the bones, so I know about it." Kazuma argued defensively, but he takes a deep breath to calm himself down. It hasn't been long after he did his soul searching. "Look, it's just that I had to make do since my own Undead commanders are... How do I say this.. Gone for the most part. I don't know if I even have the time to redo what I did."
"How did you exactly make your undead commanders?" Ingham asked him. "They seemed to be... alive compared to the usual ones you've made."
"Well, it's because I used a lot of magic when I made them, magic to repair their decayed bodies, and... I wanted to see if it's possible for me to put their souls back in. The process was so rife with trial and error that ultimately, when they stopped moving after I died, I just... Wanted them to go back to resting, I guess." He said as he scratched the back of his head. "Now that I think about it, they might have had some of my necromancy there, so that could have been the reason as to why there was so much dead."
Or maybe the entity might have helped him now that he looked back on it... As much as people are willing to say that he was a strong mage, he knows that in order to pull ancient beasts out of the grave, you had to be a grandmaster just to reach that deep in the earth for it to be possible. If he was going to go out of his way to reanimate some of the largest of those old, roaming monsters, he would have had to dig, something that he didn't have time for just to cut out the middle man. He supposed that it seemed to be the likely answer, as he did notice that wherever his commanders went... The undead were sprouting like they were garlic. Regardless, whether or not he's being in denial is irrelevant, and what matters more is dealing with the saboteurs.
"Okay, I'll help out and send some of my undead to help down south. I already have my wraiths and ghouls again, why not use them? Besides, with the way how I've heard of them... They're quite sneaky aren't they?"
"As much as the rumors of their deeds being the only thing we have to go off them, we thank you regardless for being willing to donate." Shiromi said with a smile.
"You should probably go and grab Dennis too, while we're at it." He added to them as he thinks. "Now that I think about it... Have we met before?"
"In case we haven't. I am Ingham, and this strange, white haired, definitely not a scheming rat girl who happens to be my associate is Shiromi." Ingham introduced with a snide grin as she looks at him.
"At least my hair is short and well kempt unlike the wild wavy hair you have on your head." She retorted as he laughed lightly.
Kazuma can only watch these two, and just decided to leave them be. As he walked to prepare his end of the bargain, he ends up encountering Olga, looking down on him. He only looked up at her, finding it strange that she would... look at him like that, like he's some kind of stain. As she walked away, he was willing to just drop it, and walks away. However, as he does, he noticed that she was looking back at him, as if she was expecting him to follow... Which is odd, because of how cold she seems to him.
Yet, there must be a reason as to why, and since she was expecting it... Might as well see what she has to offer.