by Matthew Peed
We gathered in the entrance hall, not really sure what to do from here. There were two halls and a grand staircase that led to the next floor, but I didn’t want to make anyone mad by exploring on our own. My people were relaxed at least, though I wasn’t sure I liked that, but it wouldn’t do much good for them to be hostile to everything that moved. I just sighed and let it go for now.
“Will the leader please follow me? The godfather would like to meet you,” said a goblin that was quite honestly more handsome than any man I had seen on the surface.
He had long silver hair that reached the small of his back and was tied up in a ponytail. His face was . . . perfect, with a strong but gentle jawline, softly glowing purple eyes, and a nicely shaped nose. He was wearing a suit that accented his body in all the right places.
“Princess?” Tsuzuki asked.
“Huh? Ah! Yes, that would be me,” I stammered quickly. I could feel the others’ gazes on my back as a blush crept over my cheeks. “Is it alright if I bring two along with me?” I asked.
“Of course,” the handsome goblin answered with a smile that showed perfect white teeth and may have burned a few of my nerve endings.
I coughed and waved Tsuzuki and Hatsu forward. I needed both my main mage and guard with me. We were walking into something that I wanted to be sure we walked out of. The goblin gestured with a slight bow up the grand staircase, then turned and walked ahead of us.
Decorating the hallway we walked down were tons of gold statues and other types of artwork that looked like they were created by master hands. Sure enough, many other rooms lined the halls as well that could easily house several hundred people comfortably. It made me want to make Jade Wind much grander in the future when I took over as queen. My foot faltered for a moment at that thought.
“Lady? Are you alright?” the embodiment of beauty asked with a light smile.
“I’m fine. The majesty of this place is just overwhelming,” I said quickly.
I shook my head. I always knew I was going to be queen someday. Sure, some days I looked forward to it more than others, but I never didn’t want to be queen. I just never knew I would meet someone like Lord Regan. I didn’t want to part with him. Maybe I could move the city over the valley, I thought idly. I had some serious thinking to do in the future.
We finally reached a room that lay toward the end of the right wing. The doors weren’t quite as grand as the entrance’s, but they were clearly for showing off the individual named the godfather’s power and influence. Four goblins, each armed with different weapons, stood guard. Three of them had weapons similar to our air rifles in design but with a round drum attached toward the middle. The last one possessed what looked like a sword hilt on his belt, but I couldn’t see an actual sheath.
“One lady and company to see the godfather,” our escort said. His face wasn’t distracting me this time, but that made me realize that his voice was like honey or silver.
One of the guards pressed a button on the wall and said something in a different language. It was like the goblin’s language that was still used on the surface but sounded like it had developed for two thousand years. I heard a click and one of the guards held the door open for us. I nodded to the guards as I moved past them.
The new room was a large office. There were fewer decorations in here, but the few presented were obviously a show of power. Two of the walls were covered in weapons, all kinds of guns and rifles and so many that I wasn’t sure how much firepower was actually represented. The last wall was filled with bookshelves. The language was the same Lord Regan printed his books in.
The one thing in the room that quickly grabbed my eye was the goblin sitting behind a large desk in the center. He was wearing a suit that managed to be nicer than the one our escort was wearing. There was a large cigar in his hand, and he looked pleased to see us.
“Adventurers, I want to welcome you to my humble abode,” the older-looking goblin said with a gesture around him. He pulled a drag from his cigar. “The boss wanted me to greet the first few groups to the floor to spread the word that we won’t attack unless provoked. As you can see, we aren’t like our sick brothers and sisters from the surface. You may call me Tony,” he finished with another pull from the cigar.
“I want to thank you for the amazing welcome we’ve received, Tony,” I said with a deep bow.
“I guess I’m not surprised a Selected made it here first.” He chuckled.
“I’ve been hearing that all day,” I said with a chuckle of my own.
“Again, I’m not surprised. Depending on what floor you’re on, the treatment you receive might change.” His tone was light, not a threat.
“Yay me?”
“Indeed. Now, if you plan to go back to your . . .” Tony started to say when one of the guards walked in. He moved over and whispered something to Tony. “Is that so. Thank you,” he said to the guard, then looked back to me. “It appears I already owe you a debt.”
“Debt? What do you mean?” I asked, truly confused. I couldn’t remember doing anything to earn a debt so soon after entering the city.
“It appears Alphonso attacked you soon after you entered the city. While no harm was done, this could leave a bad mark on future proceedings,” Tony said, taking a drag.
I waved him off. “Please. There’s no reason to be worried about that. Like you said, no harm was done.”
“Are you saying I should overlook a debt?” Tony growled.
“Umm, no,” I said, caught off guard.
“Sir, calm down,” the handsome goblin said. I didn’t realize he had moved next to Tony.
“Ah, sorry, Owen,” he said, then looked back to me. “That’s not how things work here. We’ll do this—you take Alphonso with you as a servant for now. Once he works for you for a . . . let’s say a month for now, then he can come back.”
I had a feeling I was getting the short end of this stick, but I didn’t want to make it worse. “Alright, sounds good,” I agreed with a tight smile.
We talked for a while longer about the rules and laws of the city. Adventurers could buy buildings in the city for mana if the building wasn’t already occupied. There was a no-killing policy, which I was glad about, but Tony did warn me that wouldn’t prevent people who got into a fight from being beat to within an inch of their life. He had a very feral grin when he said it, his fangs poking out partially.
“With that, please enjoy your stay, Princess Izora,” Tony finished with that uncomfortable grin.
Owen led us out after that. Privately I wished that Tony had lent us him instead of Alphonso, but at least it was only a month. I would have to try to get him sent back earlier—I just had a feeling it was going to be trouble.
Chapter 7
Louella
It was the day after I sent my father to jail. That act alone had been very satisfying, until the woman I thought of as the root of evil came to get him free. I straight up told her to leave or I would throw her in with him. She had a sour face but left without pushing her luck. I wanted to find a reason to have her taken away as well, but I tried to remain as civil as possible.
I really wanted to have a day to myself. A day to just lie in bed and stare at the ceiling, but my duties called. A list long enough to keep me busy for the foreseeable future. My staff in the castle grew more competent by the day, which I had the schools being opened around the city to thank for. Regan may have been big on allowing access to knowledge, but that didn’t mean everyone learned as well as others. Some of the more engaging individuals were able to pass on knowledge in easy-to-learn ways, which for some beat trying to learn from a book.
The biggest issue on the agenda was the Winter Welcome Festival. With how booming the town was it would almost be a crime not to hold it. The commoners and adventurers alike all enjoyed the festival, as a town would normally hold a grand feast if it could. Many of the forms on my desk were suggestions for the event.
The festival used to honor the god of kin, but since wor
ship of Lelune had spread so much, many places were changing their target of devotion. It wasn’t unheard of, even before the demon wars, for gods to tend to be loose with their worshipers, caring more about the world itself.
I grabbed the engraved golden parchment from the top of the stack and was honestly not sure whether to laugh or cry when I first read it. The gnome embassy had sent a formal request to have Regan be the patron of the festival. I wasn’t sure I wanted that to go to his head. Izora being straightforward wasn’t new, but I worried this might go just a tad over the line for some people.
As I thought about Izora, I read a report that she had gone back into the dungeon this morning. After the last floor I’d experienced, I wasn’t sure I ever wanted to be a first diver ever again. Regan just threw too many unknowns around. No, next time I dove, I wanted a book written and certified by at least ten other adventurers. My hands were already full with the amount of power I’d amassed in the short time since knowing Regan. Someone else could have fun with it for a while.
I shook my head and pulled the plans for the festival forward. The Mages Guild wanted permission to hold a display and competition. It sounded like a good way for some of the rowdier people to show off while expending their energy. The last thing I wanted to deal with was a drunken mage with access to firestorms and terraquakes. A whole district of a town in Lecazar had been turned to rubble one night thanks to a mage with more power than wits who’d gotten drunk.
There was, of course, the feast that needed to be planned. As the lord I would be footing the bill, but in turn that meant I wanted everyone to bring out their best work. At least thanks to Regan’s library we would have a considerable increase in quality compared to the previous feasts I remembered.
“Little lady, you have a guest,” Wrakras called from the hall.
“Send them in,” I said with a sigh. I was confident I was more powerful than him now, but that didn’t stop him from treating me like a child. It only made it worse that I couldn’t see his face behind the mask he always wore.
A moment later, Lines strode into my office without much hesitation. He was dressed the same as last time, though the black bags under his eyes made him look like he was missing a few nights of sleep. He still radiated a sort of energy that spoke volumes about how seriously he took his position.
“Lady Louella, thank you for seeing me,” Lines said with a bow.
“It’s not a problem. What is it?” I asked curiously.
“Yes . . . We may have a situation. I felt it was a good idea to inform you.” He sat down, looking quite tired. I could only wonder what could cause him to miss so much sleep. I just hoped it didn’t affect my valley.
“Go ahead,” I said, then waved to Wrakras. He pulled the door shut as he came inside.
“A few nights ago, a town was attacked . . . or liberated, it really depends on how you look at it. The lord was slaughtered to the point that only his head remained. The assailant claimed that the lord was a necromancer supporter, but . . . anyway, to support their claim they gave a few parties in the town a weapon that allowed them to not only defend themselves but also detect the necromancers still remaining in the town.” He sighed.
“That sounds like compelling evidence in itself,” I said, resting my chin on my hand as I leaned forward. This had Regan written all over it.
“I also agree. The other nobles, however . . . do not. Thonaca is entering a state of civil defense. I felt I should warn you because you are from Lecazar and may be judged more . . . harshly than is otherwise necessary.” Lines was actually frowning for once. The change in expression did work to make him seem more human.
“At least I have you as a voice. Haven’t you been inspecting the valley from top to bottom this past week?” I smiled lightly at the thought. Even with his investigation, he’d cause less problems than the nobles.
“Indeed. The king will heed my counsel. I haven’t received any news of the second dog that was supposed to be working this case with me, which worries me,” he said, lines forming on his brow.
My eyes widened. “This second dog wouldn’t happen to be named Quin, would she?” I asked quietly.
“Yes, that is the name. Why?” His tone was tense.
“She pissed me off, as well as Regan. He caused her quite a bit of pain while he . . . questioned her,” I answered with a soft growl.
Lines actually slumped in his seat with his head in his hands. I wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh, cry, or just moan from what I could only assume was a now large amount of stress. I quickly waved to Wrakras, and he smiled with a nod and stepped over to a table to the side of the room. He poured a glass of what Regan called dungeon whiskey. It automatically refilled every night, and I had taken to drinking a few glasses when I was actually able to work in my office.
“Sir,” Wrakras said lightly, handing the glass to Lines.
“Thanks,” Lines mumbled as he took the drink.
Wrakras moved over and handed me a glass as well. I thanked him with a nod and took a sip. It felt cool, then hot as it touched my tongue. As the sweetness drifted through the warmth of the drink, my nerves relaxed. The alcohol always brought a little smile to my face as it took the edge from my more stressful days.
“Where does this leave me, Sir Lines?” I asked once he’d drunk a few sips.
“The situation could go many ways, to be truthful. I personally hope you showed that woman her place, but I doubt she’ll let something like that go. No . . . The more likely response is that she will blame our current case on you and your friend. And unfortunately, she possesses more pull with the king than I do,” Lines answered, leaning forward as he thought it through.
“And what, Sir Lines, would be the king’s response to such information?” I asked with a straight face.
“Destruction,” he replied with a small smile.
I tapped my chin. This was . . . I wanted to say “bad,” but something inside myself just didn’t care. I’d fled to Thonaca because I couldn’t do anything in Lecazar, and my stepmother . . . Father, would have always hounded me if I’d stayed. This wasn’t the case anymore. I possessed a power that was hard to equal for someone my age. If I practiced more, I would become unmatched by all but a few.
Then there was Regan. He was a walking legendary-grade magic weapon that could level cities if he got serious. Who could have an army that could match anything the kingdom could throw at him and didn’t have to feed them or even pay them? I had been lord the entire time he’d been building his dungeon. I honestly worried about the mortal races if some of the other nobles tried to get him to do what they wanted.
The dungeon itself would allow the valley to be self-sufficient even if they cut us off. I didn’t see the two countries working together to deal with us, but it was always a possibility. That would be interesting to see in its own right. Even with that thought I still wasn’t too worried about it coming to a war. The adventurers and citizens who came here wouldn’t fight the war, but my martial forces grew by the day from people looking to make money or relocating here due to the rumors of a better life.
I leaned back in my chair and smiled widely. “Let them come.”
“Are you crazy?” Lines asked skeptically.
“No. Not that I blame you for thinking as much. Let’s just say I know the cards I have to play, and I’m in possession of a very nice hand.” I chuckled. It sounded like something Regan might say.
“Ah, I can’t see this ending well . . .” Lines mumbled as he shook his head.
Darr
The airship quickly gained distance from the fleet. It felt odd to be left in charge over what could be an important mission. I would much rather have been in the mech bay working on Bervin. He was my masterpiece, after all.
He could crush anything in the same tier as him and easily give one tier higher a run for their money. If I used the labs’ chart, then my mech Bervin would be end tier two. That was before I included all the ideas I had about him almost on a daily basis. I
felt he would truly be formidable in the future.
“I’ll just call this mission a trial run for Bervin,” I mumbled.
“What was that, ma’am?” the goblin at the controls asked.
“Nothing. How much farther?” I asked, walking to stand next to him.
“According to the maps the boss gave us, it shouldn’t be more than a day away. We may possibly even be there tonight. We are putting out a lot of speed,” the pilot answered, glancing at his charts.
“Good. Try to aim for the morning. From the report I got, it sounds like they are firmly entrenched in the dungeon, and we won’t have to worry about friendly fire. That doesn’t mean I want to send our forces in without the sun on our side,” I said, more to myself than the pilot.
“Understood, ma’am.” The pilot nodded, then focused back on the sky flying by.
“Keep comms up. I’m going to inspect the mechs,” I ordered and left the bridge.
The ship was large for us but small compared to others that Boss had created. It could easily house the crew of forty goblins that Boss had assigned to me. Most of the space was taken by the cargo and mech bays. There were almost enough mechs for the entire crew. We needed them to actually go outside, after all. A few of the other engineers were moving around the mechs as they did precombat checks and prep.
“How’s it going, boys?” I called to the three that were working on one of the mechs.
“Ma’am! All green for the kids! Need to use the material ammo sparingly, only have a few hundred thousand. We can’t have you getting trigger-happy,” Terry, the lead mechanic, called as he leaned over the railing.
“I’ll stick to energy weapons . . . Honestly, I’m a little afraid to use those antimatter rounds the boss gave us,” I said as I climbed the ladder to join him on the scaffold.
“I was reading the notes that came with them. They’re some serious shit. Need to use them on enemies we deem too strong to fight conventionally. Apparently, they can rip a hole through most materials,” Terry agreed.