Chapter 643: Royalty (2/2)

The last woman seemed to have a perpetual frown on her face, her black eyes cold as they stared at her. She wore a fine silk dress, black just like her hair.

Michael’s sister apparently.

[Metal Mage – lvl 242]

Seems to run in the family, I wonder if she dislikes him because he got gold, Ilea thought. Or she just acted out the comment before to get on my good side. I’m meeting nobility after all. Let’s hope to keep this as short as possible. At least they’re preparing a feast. Maybe I should hire a few bards to sing songs about my food and drink preferences.

Joel she had already met, the lightning mage at level two eighty, so far her favorite person in Halstein by a long shot. Direct, brawler, well trained, handsome in a rugged kind of way, knows what he wants. She nearly didn’t have the heart to show him more than a bit of her power, though she an inkling that his spirit wouldn’t be beaten down so easily.

“We had heard about your arrival, and subsequent meeting with the Corinth Order. The tense expressions on your companions suggest something unexpected may have transpired. You mentioned poison?” the king asked.

“I’m an outsider,” Ilea said. “It seems someone may have wanted to use me in their schemes. I think it’s best if the Head Paladin and High Cleric explain our presence here.”

Delegate responsibilities, she thought with a smirk and stepped aside.

The three Corinth members bowed deeply.

“High Cleric Donnavon, Paladin Bryce, and you are?” Emmanuel asked.

“Paladin Naomi, your majesty,” the woman replied.

Ilea only listened to the conversation absentmindedly, making sure they weren’t spinning a new tale as she twirled her hammer, winking at Joel.

He joined her a moment later, garnering a glare from the Queen. “Sure you don’t want to start a brawl? They’ve been sitting around with their politics for decades. Barely remember the last time his bloody suit got any dirt on it.”

“You know him well?” Ilea asked.

“We were adventurers at one point. Well nobility too, but it’s good to get real experience. Lets you appreciate all the fancy crap you grow up with. Being in the Kingsguard isn’t half bad, don’t get me wrong. I just wish there were a few more monster attacks around the city,” he mused.

“Could take a vacation. I know a really nice spot, few islands in the west,” Ilea said with a smile.

“If only. Can’t be gone for more than a few days at a time,” he sighed.

Well if only there was some kind of teleportation network available to solve this issue, Ilea thought, smiling to herself.

The conversation was growing more tense, Donnavon apparently sharing sensitive information with the royals, naming loyal followers of the Corinth doctrine. A bunch of armored warriors and mages had arrived in the meantime, a respectful distance away from the talking group, most of them looking at either Bryce or her.

She spotted the rogue who had been training with Joel when they had arrived. “Looks a bit like you,” she said, the rogue looking away when he noticed her stare.

“Kyrie is my brother. What do you think?” Joel said.

“Handsome lad. Seems very reserved. Devoted to his duty?” she asked.

“I’ll take the compliment,” Joel said. “Don’t get me wrong, Ilea. We will both fight you if you try anything.”

I could kill everyone in this room. Except maybe that Druid. But who knows. She seemed uncertain too.

“I’m not here to start a war, Joel. I very much dislike participating in them,” she informed him.

“Expected a less serious reply,” he said. “Care for a tour of the city later? I know of a few wonderful spots.”

“Intriguing. Perhaps I’ll take you up on that offer, brave Kingsguard,” Ilea mused.

The Queen walked over a moment later, a tense expression on her face before she smiled. “Do you prefer Lilith or Ilea?”

“Doesn’t matter to me,” Ilea said.

“Lilith then. I’m aware that you came to meet with the Corinth Order as a representative of the Medic Sentinel Corps, but perhaps you would be interested to talk about potential agreements with the Kingdom as a representative of the Ravenhall council?” she said.

Even know about that one, hmm? Well, I do talk to much.

“I’m not in a position to make such arrangements, I’m afraid,” Ilea answered. “I suggest you contact the Head Administrator.”

“Claire, was it? We have already been in touch. Meeting in person is however my preferred method to talk about such matters. It’s easier with a few bottles of wine and good food,” the Queen said.

“I suppose you’re right. I’m sure you’ll find an arrangement that works in due time,” Ilea said. And stop bothering me about trade deals.

“She doesn’t seem to speak your language, Julianna,” Joel said.

The Queen glared at him for a split second before she smiled again. “I’m sure we will, Lilith. I hope to have you join the feast regardless, and I apologize for the lack of hospitality shown by our countrymen.”

“I’ll be happy to join,” Ilea said with a smile.

Joel breathed out when the Queen had returned to the others.

Attempt at my life equals a lack of hospitality? Fancy that.

“We can leave now if you want to? You may as well have told her to fuck off,” Joel said.

“I’m somewhat invested in this whole Corinth business,” Ilea said. “A lack of hospitality is somewhat offensive after all.”

The man huffed. “Understandable.”

_______________________

Emmanuel looked at the growing plate of Lilith, a thin limb of ash moving around the table, adding more as she ate with abandon. He allowed himself a glance at Julianna, her smile wavering slightly when she noticed his look.

She’s envious. I should’ve known. I’ll get you a personal feast later.

He was pretty sure the best approach to Lilith was acting more natural around her but he couldn’t allow himself to do so too much. Joel had a certain reputation and this time it was very much in their favor to have him meet an important guest first but it wouldn’t make for a very royal sight if they behaved like adventurers. Lilith wasn’t the only person in the hall after all.

I hope their claims can be proven by the guard.

Several teams were already investigating, Bryce and Donnavon suggesting targets and potential allies for their Order’s sake. Removing corrupting elements was always beneficial, and cooperating with the side that would come out on top would strengthen their devotion to the crown. Favors for favors. And luckily for today, the balance rarely tipped as overwhelmingly towards one side.

A plot to start a conflict with Ravenhall, the Head Paladin supporting a High Cleric, and most importantly. Lilith, the three mark monster.

The news of an independent Ravenhall was surprising but very much welcome as soon as it was revealed that their leadership wasn’t simply an uncoordinated rebellious group like the one in Dawntree. Lys accepted their independence and lost a lot of influence in the southern plains. Of course the territory they gained in Baralia more than made up for that but with the geographic location, Kroll might actually be able to apply more pressure on the Empire in the coming decades.

“I heard of your exploits in the south,” he said, looking at Ilea.

She glanced at him, cleaning her mouth with a napkin.

“There is a rumor going around, that you found and freed Queen Lumian,” he said. The crown returned. You faced not only the Abominations.

He remembered the Specters protecting the lower parts of the dungeon. Creatures their whole team couldn’t face. Even for training it was deemed too dangerous. If one had followed us up… we wouldn’t be sitting here.

“You heard about that?” Ilea asked.

“You’re hailed a hero in the southern regions, though I hear the people only dare whisper your name,” he said.

She glanced at him with a questioning look, drinking from her ale.

“They say you terrorized a group of adventurers and that you abducted a young girl as payment,” Emmanuel said, a few people on the table tensing up. He knew she wouldn’t be bothered by any of that, and he knew none of it was true. Well she may have scared the locals, but even with his power, it happened before. He couldn’t even imagine what low level humans thought of her, when they saw her use her magic. I do wish to see it too. Ah the downsides of kingly manners. Perhaps we should organize a tournament.

“Sophia talked? Maybe I should visit her again,” Ilea said with a grin. “As to the girl. It was her choice.”

He smiled, enjoying the looks on the nobles sitting at the long table almost as much as she surely did. “Where is she now?” he asked, to avoid potential incidents and pointless discussions with people lacking the ability to detect sarcasm. Something he had to learn the hard way.

“She’s training to become a Sentinel,” Ilea said, luckily not pushing the joke any further.