Chapter 60: ~Its all a game.~ (1/2)

***Arcane Academy, Eastern Planes***

***Jazira, The Immortal Empress***

“~Hmmhmmhmm.~ ~Yes... that's the right spot!~ ~Ahn...~”

“Stop it! You are doing this on purpose to humiliate me! Isn't it enough that I have to massage your shoulders!?” Sagittarius calls out from behind me.

“Shut up. Prisoners shouldn't complain.” I sigh with pleasure and take a look at the city under me. After having conquered the Academy, I took residence in the Inquisition's headquarters. The building is basically a big tower which is looming over the city.

My private quarters are at the highest floor of the tower from where I have a very good view on the city. Right now I am taking a sunbath on my balcony, while Sagittarius is taking care of my well-being.

Iced fruit juice and a ventilator from Sarn are completing my bliss.

“I have to thank this Norent Grant for removing his military forces. I would have never imagined to get control over the Academy that easily!” I cross my legs in my deckchair and smile at the sun.

“The forces of the inquisition are still fighting somewhere else. They will return after dealing with Sarn. And everything you captured here are civilians and a city with almost no economic value.” Sagittarius points out that the Academy doesn't have any mentionable trade or resources of its own. They are buying almost everything they have from others. The importation of goods has to be managed through the Gates.

“The prestige alone is important, Sagittarius! The knowledge that I hold one of the most famous cities is enough. What does the Inquisition intend to do? Counter invade through a Gate? My people are alert and we don't underestimate the threat from the Gates.” I take my glass with cold fruit juice and hold it to my cheek.

“Besides, I don't think that they can take Sarn. I confirmed recently that there isn't just one immortal there, but three in fact!” I take a sip and smile.

Sagittarius stops massaging me. “Are you sure? That doesn't fit the pattern at all …” He pauses and starts to mumble something.

I turn and look up at him. “The pattern?”

“Ah … nothing. Just a stray thought.” The old man looks away and continues with the massage.

“~Sagittarius, whenever you are lying, you look away and put on a fake smile! So tell me everything you know on the matter, or I will rip the knowledge out of your brain.~”

“No violence! And I don't know anything for certain. It's just a … theory … of mine.” Sagittarius starts to stammer.

“~I have time.~”

“It's about this mysterious force you were talking about from time to time, while we were still together. I didn't like the thought of a super secret organization messing with my Academy.” Sagittarius grumbles a little.

I nod. “Go on.”

“I researched everything and everyone. The Academy has access to much more information than any single nation. But I concentrated my research purely on historic events and political relations. And I think I found out why the actions of this mysterious organization seem so erratic.” Sagittarius pauses for a moment and I sit straighter.

“It's not like I don't believe that you found out something important, but I researched the matter for several years already.” I try to sound professional, but I would bite into my ass if he found something I didn't.