Chapter 712 (1/2)

“Cailm the Unbeaten, first of his name, Emperor of the Earth Golems, was broken on his very doorstep,” Lucretia reported calmly. “His armies were scattered, all five of his Hierarchs were captured and beheaded by the allied forces. Many claim that such a daring and blazing offensive would be completely impossible without the Bounty Mechanical so-called ‘supermechs’.”

Alta’s smile was lazy. Although most of her body was covered in the sudsy bathwater, Lucretia knew she tracing the scars on her hands where she had burned and mangled herself working with the essence of the World Tree over the past ten years. Even once Alta knew what had to be done, even with Lucretia’s expertise, even with a budget that wouldn’t have been possible without Lucretia’s clandestine nighttime activities… it had taken eight long years to produce proof that Alta’s idea was feasible.

During that time, Cailm the Unbeaten had grown stronger and stronger. The wars in the lower lands became increasingly heated, as the Weavers became increasingly involved in the Monster and Earth Golem conflict.

Around the point that Alta had created her prototype, the Monsters, the Weavers, and the remnants of the Soulless had realized that their individual forces were being systematically eliminated. So they allied.

And still, they were losing. The forces turned on each other in a bloody melee as the Spriggits and their allies pushed downward through the Lands.

The rising voices in the Spriggit Ministry that clamored to allow the sale of mechs finally managed to eradicate the last of the resistance. Free trade with their highest value arms was possible. At Lucretia’s suggestion, Alta submitted a bid for a hyper-cheap variation of her prototype that contained very basic strength, speed, and weapons attachments.

But it included the Bounty Mechanical battery.

It was an innocuous box that would change the war. Very soon, Cailm who managed to pacify his entire Land was faced with a new threat. All the small factions he had beaten back were returning. With mechs to make up in the difference in their armies.

“Bah! It’s not like they will recognize my contribution,” Alta said, but her continued squirming clearly indicated that she would be delighted if anyone were to do so.

Lucretia smiled gently. This was her favorite version of the woman she had served for the past 35 years.

Cascading water off her body, Alta stood. Frowning, she swiped at the suds that clung to her body and held a hand out to Lucretia. Dutifully, Lucretia handed Alta a towel.

“Did they find his body?” Alta asked casually. Lucretia chuckled.

“No. They did not. Although my sources tell me that it was mostly because your heavy artillery turned the Earth Golem capital into an inferno.”

Grunting, Alta continued to dry herself off. Her jaw was constantly working, as though she was slowly tearing off a particularly resilient bit of gristle in her meal. “If we can’t find the body-”

“Why would the Council of Fates try and save him?” Lucretia asked patiently.

Alta flashed Lucretia a rueful smile. “Creta, don’t play games. This isn’t paranoia. Ever since you’ve begun sticking your nose into their honey jar, they’ve been hiring more powerful guards. He is what they need. Even in a mech, do you think you could beat him in a direct confrontation?”

“Yes.”

There was a second of silence. Then Alta burst out laughing. “I suppose I deserve that. Well, if it was anyone else, I would tell them they are being a prideful fool. But if you say it… I’ll tell Cailm’s mother to order a closed casket.”

Lucretia’s nose wrinkled. “Your sense of humor has certainly gotten darker since-”

Both women stopped talking immediately when the door opened. Lucretia’s long talons stretching from her shoulder blades twitched. But although she entertained a brief fantasy of killing the intruder, she ultimately restrained herself.

“Ladies,” The man said with a charming smile. “Am I interrupting something?”

Much to Lucretia’s relief, his face was soon impacted by the heavy weight of a wet towel.