Dungeon Robotics 9 - 21

Good Evening everyone!

Louella

Tossing the tablet to the desk, I took a deep breath. I honestly just couldn’t believe what I was reading. However, it was hard to dispute with over a hundred scouts and several hundred other people that reported it.

“Krona really traveled through the sky in such an unnatural way,” I mumbled more to myself.

“Master, most likely. I would just ignore it. It has little effect on our operations in Thonaca.”

“How long do you think before the fanatics of Lelune decide that we were the ones that caused Krona to vanish from her place in the heaven?” I asked sarcastically.

“Which would be the truth, might as well own up to it. That OUR god can move the bodies in the heavens.”

“Huh. I didn’t think about it like that. Alright. We’ll ignore it for now. We have plenty of raspberry to use if necessary.”

“You really should give the mage that came up with that a raise.”

I tsked him. “I already did when they presented it to me.”

“I see. It is good to see that people are rewarded under you.”

I waved him off. A smart leader always make sure to reward her people. No one works for free and those that do usually have something else in mind. I peeked at him from the corner of my eye. “You did some good work the last couple days too. Do you want a reward?”

He shook his head. “I’m not sure its my place. Considering the path I took to reach here.”

“If you keep bringing up the past like that then of course you’re going to have trouble!” I retorted angerily before I covered my mouth and looked away. What had just came over me? I huffed and glared at him. “When you think of something that isn’t related to the all consuming desire for power, let me know. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you.” Wrakras bowed his head. “Now that you mention it. I wouldn’t mind sharing another meal with you,” he said cupping his chin in his hand with a thoughtful pose.

I sighed but dicided that I shouldn’t be surprised. He had become quite the glutton after joining Regan’s side. He was often seen snacking on something even during missions. According to the few soldiers I heard talking, it was always high quality stuff they’d never seen before so he was likely being supplied directly from Regan.

“As my personal guard then that can likely be arranged.”

“Really? I’ll look forward to it.”

I coughed to clear the air of the strange mood before I picked my tablet back up. In just the few minutes I was speaking with Wrakras over half a dozen reports came in. I rubbed my eyes then got back to work. It was a good thing I didn’t need as much rest as a mortal, otherwise I would be in trouble handling all the work.

Going through the reports, most were straightforward movements reports of the area that the fleet will be moving into soon. The third fleet had managed to capture their city, but the operation wasn’t as smooth as here in Ebonyfalls. There had been a battle and while our side suffered minimal casualties, the enemy had been nearly decimated.

“The saints are going to be a problem.”

“Truly, that woman was annoying.”

“I’m not talking about her. The other fleet encountered several on the battlefield. She was hard enough for us on an one on one situation. They’re even worse surrounded by hundreds of allies. Apparently, the commander was forced to use their main cannon to kill the saint and finally bring the fight to an end.”

“If you ask me, that’s almost worse than what we did. At least necromancers have the curtsy to kill you first before making you a zombie.”

“Sadly, I almost want to agree with you. A few of the surviving enemy soldiers were captured… well recovered might be the better word. According to the doctors, they might as well be brain dead from the intense amount of pain they were forced to live through. Only the adrenaline during the battle kept them aware, once that vanished they were reduced to little more than vegetables.”

“Wow. I’d hate to meet their goddess. I don’t see how the church plans to outlive this even if they win the war.”

“Oh I’m sure they’ll call it a wonderful act of sacrifice then move on.”

Wrakras laughed cynically. “Nasty. Though you’re probably right.”

I continued over the report, but much like the saint we encountered in the Keep, something feels off about these individuals. If the church had this power before wouldn’t they have used in other wars or even during the earlier conflicts with the necromancers. If they had come forward maybe none of this would have happened in the first place. Idle questions of a history that was already written I supposed.

Before I knew it, the morning light was pouring through the window. Setting the tablet down, I couldn’t stop the yawn that escaped. Since I had already let that escape, I went ahead and stretched even if it wasn’t the most lady like thing to do. A few assistants showed up then with food.

“Did you not get any sleep?” Wrakras asked tapping his foot.

“Even since I hit tier four, no actually before that. Ever since my High Human blood came out. I’ve been able to go several days without sleep if I need to.”

“That might be the case, but with us being in the middle of a war, it is wise to sleep when you have the chance. History has shown that a battle we think might last ten minutes could turn into a siege that lasts days.”

I nodded slowly. “You’re right, of course. I will rest once we are underway.”

Wrakras sighed but nodded. “The fleet is ready to depart whenever you’re ready,” he said as if remembering.

Once I was done eating, and my temporary office gathered up, we made for the dropship that was waiting for us. Count Evans stood with a few of his advisors. Even though he had a calm expression, there was a fear that was threatening to break free at any moment. I could tell from his more subtle movements. His advisors were less worried about their image and outright showed there fear backing away as we came closer.

“Count Evans. I trust you to maintain order here for me, though Commander Julian is actually in charge.” It would be good for the local nobles to support my law even after I was gone. Though, with his family held in Vaihdetta, I doubted the good count would do anything stupid. It was his colleges that he would have to be careful about.

Count Evans bowed his head. “You can rely on me, your highness.”

“Good to hear,” I said motioning for my guard to load into the dropship. A few seconds later we were back on the flagship of the first fleet. We were only leaving a force of five hundred men behind, but the support of one of the airships should keep any stupidity to a minimum. Not to mention, that the valley was technically right next to the city.

Standing on the bridge, I watched as the fifteen airships started rising from the city. It was truly a sight I never thought I would see, much less be in control of. The battle, if you could call it that, for Ebonyfalls had resulted in only one casualty, the saintess from the other night. It was a great mark though one I doubted would remain with us.

I turned and took in the bridge crew. “Set course for Halwin City!”

~~

A cavern that had roots running along the walls entered my vision. I had seen this place before but it felt almost like a life time ago. As I looked around, I noticed that the roots had… rotten a bit since the last time I was here. The idle clouds that floated near the ceiling were closer to that of a storm as well.

“Welcome back… I was getting a bit bored.” The voice resounded all around me. I couldn’t remember clearly, but something told me it was much clearer than last time. Or maybe it was just that much more powerful.

“I’m not sure that is a good thing. Feel free to go back to sleep,” I said doing my best to hide my nervousness. Again, I knew that it wasn’t wise to piss off whatever this thing was.

“You amuse me. Tell me have you found the truth yet?”

I vaguely remember him mentioning it last time I was here. Though with my change then the war, I hadn’t exactly gone on a journey to find said truth. “I’ve been a tad busy.”

“Ah. Yes. Your little war. I’ve been quite enjoying the antics taking place above me.”

I narrowed my eyes but didn’t say anything. This being was plenty powerful. I’m not surprised that he had some way to see the events on the surface. I laughed carefully. “You know us mortals, we just can’t get along for very long before we start to kill each other.”

The voice snorted. “What do you know of killing?” he asked cynically. “Now that metal soul that you are friends with. He knows about killing.”

“Regan?” I asked before I could stop myself and quickly covered my mouth.

“Regan. An interesting name. As his powers grow so do mine.” The side of one of the mountains in front of me suddenly cracked before an eye opened. I thought I knew what fear was… I was wrong. The terror that flooded through me as that eye stared at me was almost too much for me to comprehend. I was thanking all the gods and goddesses once the eye closed.

I dropped to my hands and knees gasping for breath. Such power! What could a mortal, no, what could even a god do against that!? “Who… are… you?” I gasped out.

“I am @#$%@.” The voice sighed. “That is a pity. I thought you would be able to hear it.”

I took a deep breath and stood up, shakily but stronger as I regained my composure. “Again!”

“I’d rather not. If I say it again, the power might kill you. I still want to witness some more accomplishments before the end.”

I was about to argue when the scene went black and I felt myself falling forward. When I came to, I was lying in my bed onboard the flagship. Pain flared through my head as the light flooded into my vision causing me to reach up and grabbed the sides of my head. When it finally passed, I found that my hands were covered in blood from my ears, nose, and eyes. Not only that, but various places all over my body were cut and bruised.

“What… the… hell?” I moaned as I laid in the bed. Thankfully, most of the wounds were already faded due to my constitution at tier four, but it was still painful as shit. Whatever was calling to me was not to be trifled with, but what scared me the most was what it said. As Regan’s power grew so did his. How was that even possible?

I would need to talk to Regan as soon as possible. But first, I glanced down at myself, I would need to explain to the attendants what happened to me. As their leader, they’re not going to just stand by and let me be wounded in the middle of the night without having an issue with it.

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