Chapter 77: okay sorry cant talk about a lot of this stuff
Lower Fire Month, 10th Day, 600 AGG
"Do you need something?"
She'd heard and scoffed at stories of otherworldly beings falling from these cracks in the sky, but now the cougarwoman thought that maybe those myths had some truth to them. Her fur was still standing up; hells, she bet the snips the humans took were frozen stiff too.
And fucking—some fucking wanderer had the nerve to cut into their conversation! Ka'yilt would've reprimanded Sabea if it weren't for, well, present circumstances. And if she found him somewhat attractive, that was nobody's business but her own.
"I only wish to express concern for my hosts," uh huh. Yeah, sure you are. "Resurrecting so many must cost unimaginable amounts of mana and reagents: resources that take time to accrue. With the Mac'tal threat looming over Clan Ur, accepting payment up front without explaining anything is dishonest."
"『Mass Resurrection』," a chorus of groans arose from the glowing mass of carcasses. "There. See? It's not gonna take long."
Ka'yilt rubbed her eyes. Then she blinked and rubbed them again. "Holy shit."
『Raise Dead』was a single target spell and sat at the lofty heights of the Fifth-Tier, and even then, it had its limits if the targeted body was too damaged.『Resurrection』existed for that; although, gathering enough priests of sufficient competency for a Seventh-Tier ritual was… impossible for the Republic. Yup, impossible. Maybe the Commonwealth could consistently pull it off, buuut…
What the Goddess was doing was impossible. There were no signs of components being consumed, no sign of exertion on the winged champion's part, no indication that her feat took anything more than a passing afterthought.
"Incredible," Sabea sounded suitably impressed. Ka'yilt ignored her ire towards the foreign tigerman in favor of directing the Kshatras she brought along to help the newly resurrected gather their bearings. "I presume these angels are your summons as well?"
"They're my summons," Oi, Enverak. Just what kind of nosy busybody did you let wander around? "And I'm guessing you're not from around here either? Haven't seen anyone in this city dressed up like you."
"You would be correct," a part of her admired the guy's moxie, but a much, much bigger part of her wished he would stop blabbing before he tripped some verbal landmine. "It's impressive; most people wouldn't be able to become so skilled in two different fields even if they belong to the same branch of magic."
"Yeah well, I'm not good at everything," the six winged angel waved off the compliment. "Buffing, summoning, healing stuff…"
"It seems you've dedicated yourself to a life of service," Sabea's voice had an undertone of admiration coursing through. Ka'yilt scoffed to herself; who needed direct damage spells when they could summon army destroying monsters? "The people here make you out to be an incarnation of war, but doing what you did mustn't have come easy, had it?"
The Goddess's face grew red. That was a sign of embarrassment in humans, right? Angels couldn't be considered humans, so the cougarwoman didn't quite know what to make of it.
"Er, um, I just," They coughed into their fist. "I, I guess I'm not much of an attacker? It's not like I—y'know… liked doing it, but—"
"Your hesitation is understandable," Sabea gently placed a hand on their shoulder. Ka'yilt frowned; the motion appeared calculated, cold. In any case, he removed it just as quickly. Weird. "We all struggle with our callings from time to time. There's no shame in admitting you find difficulty in doing what's necessary."
"Sometimes I wonder if it was really necessary," the Goddess mumbled, just loud enough to reach the ears of those present. Whatever the reason for her moment of doubt, it didn't last long. "You're right. What's done is done."
'Good,' the cougarwoman lord approved. 'Nothing's more humiliating than being beaten by someone who mopes about it.'
"It's better this way, no? I've met people in clerical vocations before, and most found it easier to relieve the pains of others than to add upon them. With access to only two or three damage types, combat should be left to the arcanists, wouldn't you say?"
"Mmm, I get that," the Goddess bobbed her head along to Sabea's spiel. "Not being able to use a lot of damage types sucks, though I never used direct damage spells that often anyway."
She paused, put a few fingers to her lips, and frowned. "I'm not supposed to be talking about this stuff. Sorry if you had more questions, but Drau would get super mad at me if I went on…"
The winged woman truly appeared and sounded apologetic. Even Ka'yilt caught herself admonishing Sabea in her mind; hadn't he asked enough questions?
"Okay!" Ka'yilt shoved Sabea away. "Great conversation! Awesome! But we have to march out pretty damn soon, and I really really need to figure out what to do with these groggies. Ahem, no offense Lady Yuriko."
"Ah, no! It's not a problem!" The Goddess frantically waved her hands, their voice sounding more flustered by the second. Seemed to her that the embellishments so typical to mortal champions applied to those who descended from the higher realms as well. "Sorry for getting distracted—I'll finish as fast as I can!"
"E-Eh, I mean… nevermind," they acted way too openly with people who were enemies until recently. Ka'yilt was used to being near strong people, and she was used to hanging out with the guileless, but never with a person who exemplified both traits to such a degree.
'Look at her go,' it was as if a fire had been lit under her ass with how she ran around repeatedly casting that absurd spell. 'Maybe I underpaid her?'
The Nadhkrt matriarch shivered. She absolutely underpaid the Goddess: the compensation was intended to cover her warriors, and the warehouse was filled with Kshatras from other clans too…
Ka'yilt recalled the tiny package an angel had deposited in her hand not too long ago, blanching at the horrifying implications. Were they going to have to re-kill the warriors who weren't covered under the payment? 'Bluughhh… need to clear this up with everybody later.'
Hopefully the human Queen wouldn't be upset if she did it fast—?
"Rajan," Sabea quietly caught her attention. What was with these monsters popping up like mushrooms?! First the angels, then this beastman guy who she thought was kind of cute—murderous gaze aside. "I will take my leave if it's all the same to you."
He wasn't looking at her, but the disdain in Sabea's eyes defied rationality: a flash of hate shaking even the heart of a seasoned warrior like herself. Ka'yilt knew some people hated the Goddess—for good reasons admittedly—though did the beastman monk ever have anything to do with her before this? 'Family members here or something? I'll need to look into it; can't let a bloodline that strong prance about.'
"Y-Yeah, go ahead."
She stood, feet frozen in place, as the beastman bade farewell to the busy Goddess and not-golem warehouse staff.
The future… was shaping out to be interesting.
'Too interesting for me.'
Leinas uncomfortably shifted in her dress.
What was meant to be a short trip to return the magic items she unintentionally ran off with in her haste had turned into something significantly more troublesome.
'How does one refuse the Emperor of Baharuth?'
"The Lady of Wings is a diligent one, isn't she?" His Imperial Majesty, Emperor El-Nix, mused, referring to the angelic escorts that the Dragon Queen had sent through her holy champion.
Leinas quietly nodded in agreement: her posture tense and wary, His Majesty's relaxed and unconcerned. At least outwardly, though looking that much into things might be too presumptuous of her. "Or rather, Queen Oriculus has a skilled eye when it comes to opportunity."
"It's as His Majesty says," Leinas deferred. The Emperor was clearly attempting to gauge her opinion of the people who she had so easily tossed aside the Empire for. Of course, both of them understood from the beginning the sort of relationship they had, but she would also be inquisitive in his position. "They did not spare any expense in fulfilling their word."
"And yet your affliction remains unhealed," he calmly remarked in a gentle tone that was damning nonetheless. When all was said and done, she was the fool for throwing away everything on a long-shot. "My condolences, Lady Rockbruise."
"I thank His Majesty for his concern," she lowered her head, carefully keeping her bangs in place. "This one is undeserving of such."
"We can consider the return of your equipment as recompense," the red-eyed ruler chuckled. "Honestly, we were all ready to write it off as a loss… even I was surprised when you showed up at the Imperial Palace."
Emperor El-Nix broke his gaze away and stared out the right window of the carriage. "You've changed, Lady Rockbruise."
"If His Majesty declares that to be the case, then it must be so."
"I wonder… what do you think, Loune?"
Loune Vermillion, the Emperor's trusted aide. His bland appearance belied his spirit and administrative skills; a fact she'd been swift to learn.
"I believe we ought to keep in mind the possibility of charm magic, Your Imperial Majesty."
Her eye twitched. She added 'a penchant for bad jokes' to his list of traits.
"Feh," Emperor El-Nix scoffed. "The hag wouldn't be so foolish. Why ruin what goodwill she has for a pointless venture?"
It would be rather stupid to charm her of all people if espionage was the goal. "Queen Oriculus might've gambled that Your Majesty believed the value of retaining a knight with Lady Rockbruise's strength outweighed the downsides of potential sabotage."
'I'm right here you know?'
"Perhaps if she wasn't already aware that the vacancy has been filled."
"Brain Unglaus was instated that quickly?" Leinas hadn't much of an opportunity to catch up on the Empire's affairs, but that segment in particular stood out. The blue-haired man was her successor after a fashion. "I've heard disquieting news of his past activities though—"
"Because he's strong," Emperor El-Nix bluntly replied. Leinas bit the inside of her cheek; the statement stung more than she thought it would. "Stronger than that Kullervo, if you could believe it. Although perhaps not to the level of the current Martial Lord, Unglaus's strength is undeniable."
'Go Gin turned down the Emperor's offers anyway,' the War Troll was content to fight under their manager, and appointing a demihuman to a role that prestigious would result in pushback from Slane anyway. 'But for some bandit to be stronger than the beastman the Martial Lord acknowledged…'
"He placed second in that Re-Estize tournament," she nearly snapped her fingers. It was an old, almost forgotten memory, but it made its waves several years ago. "Fell short against Stronoff."
Despite the ex-bandit's commendable skill, the gap a worthy mentor created wasn't easily overcome. The late Warrior Captain had been trained by the venerated Laufen after all.
"Indeed. Well, regardless of his origins," Leinas winced. That was definitely a jab at her. Emperor El-Nix had also taken her in when she was effectively a commoner. "Unglaus's talent is plain for the world to see. You can rest assured that your position wasn't taken by someone unqualified."
"I'm glad to hear that," she'd always been the weakest among the four, unless they were going purely by offensive prowess, so the reassurance slightly stung.
A stiff pall of silence once again shrouded the carriage. The builders and enchanters could put all the fancy features they wanted, but nothing killed the atmosphere of a trip quite like a brooding ex-boss.
"Your Majesty," Leinas thanked the gods for Baziwood's timely appearance. Truly, may the Lord of Fertile Springs bless him and his harem with more children than they could feed. "That Climb kid isn't half bad! Even our grouchy Unglaus has taken a liking to him."
"You're referring to the Princess's pet?" Emperor El-Nix made no attempt to hide his derision. "Getting dragged here and there… it's uncanny."
"Bahaha! Well, if it were a couple years ago, I wouldn't say no to a face that pretty either!"
She grimaced at the bluntness of the low-born turned Count. As the effective leader of the Four Imperial Knights, one would think he'd comport himself with more dignity. That said— "Princess?"
"You've heard about the situation with Re-Estize," he brushed off her question, promptly returning his attention to Baziwood. "Him and Unglaus? The Unglaus who barely talks to anyone? Who spends all his downtime training or staring at a wall?"
"That's the one," the Imperial Knight irreverently shrugged. "They started blabbing about some personal stuff, so I'm hanging out here now."
"… You make it seem like I'm your second choice."
"No offense, Your Majesty!" Baziwood boisterously laughed again. In the whole of Baharuth, Leinas was certain that the number of people who dared act so informally towards the Emperor numbered less than the fingers on one hand. Gods, Lord Paradyne who watched over the Imperial Family for generations displayed more respect than the man named 'Lightning Bolt.' "It's not often I get to chat with somebody stronger than me."
"A warrior's spirit? If that's the case, I'm afraid I wouldn't understand," Emperor El-Nix tiredly smiled. Though their relationship was… the way it was, she still found herself concerned.
"Did the war restart, Your Majesty?" It was unlikely, but she couldn't think of anything else off the top of her head. "I wouldn't have thought King Ramposa to be that bold."
"It hasn't. Blue Roses put his primary grievance to rest, and the hostage exchange did the rest," Leinas nodded; the reply didn't answer why the 'Golden Princess' was coming with the Emperor to the Draconic Kingdom, but if he refused to elaborate, then it wasn't her place to dig for more. "Excellent chance to keep that Duke Wimburg in line too."
'Hostage exchange?' It matched the commoners' praises of the Re-Estize Princess. A royal willingly giving themselves up to the enemy in an effort to bring about a peace was something out of a child's innocent fantasies. 'Not that it matters for the Kingdom in the long run.'
The annual 'wars' forced Re-Estize to pull their peasants away during harvest season lest the Kingdom suffer a brutal invasion. Over the course of many years, these disrupted harvests wreaked havoc on Re-Estize's economy and food supplies—a problem only exacerbated by the recent undead disaster and subsequent Imperial takeover of E-Rantel.
Eventually, the Empire could easily exert soft power through its titanic markets and subvert the nobles, merchants, anybody of worth with promises of prosperity for them and theirs. 'The western desmenses might end up cozying to the Holy Kingdom though.'
"Eh? Was it something like that?" Baziwood scratched his cheek with a clueless expression. "Didn't you always complain about her being sneaky though?"
"She's no threat. Her ideas are novel, but she certainly can't do as she pleases in the Empire," strangely enough, Leinas thought Emperor El-Nix was trying to persuade himself rather than her. "Yes, of course. She poses no threat. None at all."
His narrowed eyes had a disturbed, unsettled air to them. "Just a young girl who wishes to live out some ridiculous romance story. Nothing less, nothing more."
"If Your Majesty says so," she diplomatically agreed. The ex-Imperial Knight knew he disliked the Princess, but never to this depth. 'Could he possibly be nervous?'
Impossible, she almost shook her head. How could someone with so little power to influence the world around them shake the Bloody Emperor? A third princess of an incompetent Royal Family presiding over a declining kingdom rotting from the inside out was barely a match for the greatest ruler in Baharuth's history.
'Does His Majesty see something the rest of us don't?' Leinas supposed the Princess was in possession of some intellect, but surely that couldn't be the sole cause of unease? 'It might just be personal bias for all I know. I'm reading too much into this.'
For what it was worth, Leinas respected the determination and willpower to sacrifice oneself for their subjects even if she believed it foolish—then again, her personal biases probably played a part in that… in any case, it would be nice if people like the Princess could find a happy ending for themselves, whatever people like the Emperor believed.
"Baziwood," the Imperial Knight raised an eyebrow from atop the Sleipnir he was riding. "Would you leave Lady Rockbruise and I alone for a while?"
"Your Majesty, isn't that a little boorish—" His unintentional slight went unfinished as Emperor El-Nix cut him off by pulling the carriage's curtain closed. "Anyway, where were we? Ah, yes. You see, I didn't ask you to accompany us on your return trip just on a whim."
Her gut roiled, a sure sign of ill tidings if her honed instincts were to be trusted. Exterminating a nest of Giant Spiders would be preferable to entertaining whatever Emperor El-Nix had to say next.
"Lady Leinas Rockbruise," a frisson of dread raced down her spine. "Become the Empire's ambassador to the Draconic Kingdom. I understand why you left; why give up everything for nothing? Considering the travesties you've experienced, who could fault you? And who can judge you for grabbing at the best chance you'd ever get?"
"Your Majesty, surely there are those with more suitable qualifications—"
"Which can be learned," Emperor El-Nix curtly interjected. "Some that should have existed in your past studies anyway."
Her shoulders slumped as she offered a weak retort. "Isn't Countess Tierref the current ambassador?"
"Irrelevant," he sighed, running an immaculately manicured hand through blonde hair. "Lady Rockbruise, you misunderstand me; someone who has personally received blessings from Queen Oriculus's champion is best for this role."
His reasoning was understandable. Ideally, an ambassador should hold cordial relationships with the political elites of their host country, and the Emperor's thinly veiled dislike of the Dragon Queen was… not a secret in the high-seated circles of Baharuth society.
"Her inability to remove my curse could evoke negative sentiments, Your Majesty. I do not presume to gainsay your insight, but please reconsider…"
The total breakdown the Lady of Wings displayed in front of them after the spell failed had struck her deeply. Working on a personal basis with somebody responsible for that couldn't possibly be pleasant—and she wasn't getting into how Queen Oriculus might see her as a reminder of that unfortunate interaction.
"I doubt you'll 'evoke' any sentiment detrimental to the Empire's interests," the Emperor gently smiled, a dragon's grin hidden under layers of separation and cold-hearted calculation. "A person who employs magic on the level you spoke of at no cost to their beneficiary is not one who would treat said beneficiary harshly."
"I…" She couldn't refute his point. The angel had casted numerous spells on her, most of which she never knew existed, and then there was the ludicrously over the top spell at the end…
Despite her barely passing knowledge of the arcane, even she knew it had been magic of incomparable, incomprehensible magnitude. Magic that, considering the Lady of Wings's reaction upon failure, absolutely carried a proportional amount of backlash.
'Did I honestly think I could argue my way out of the Emperor's scheme?'
A sudden surge of fatigue swept through her.
Perhaps Mira was right in saying she should've sent the items via angel-mail instead.
