Chapter 1100 (2/2)

In fact, it was Lady Iellaya who spoke. “You spoke with Lord Miln for three hours just to reach that result?”

Cail Tweocs gaze was extremely sharp toward Lady Iellaya. “I certainly am not in the habit of letting subordinates speak so disrespectfully to me. Or justifying myself to my lessers.”

Lady Iellaya flushed and looked at the ground. As Randidly studied her, his mind slowly grasped an inkling about what was going on in front of him. Probably just like Randidly, Lady Iellaya was seeking support from a powerful outside force to help her against Lord Miln. Perhaps she had believed that Cail might be exactly that force… but she had no choice but to rethink her stance after witnessing how long Cail and Lord Miln spoke to each other.

The length of time implied that an accord had been reached there, and it was bad for anyone who was aiming to deal with Lord Miln.

“Of course, my apologies,” Lady Iellaya said mechanically. “Then shall we…?”

“Ah, no.” Cail Tweocs hopped forward to land directly in front of Lady Iellaya. “While we are here, Lord Miln expressed an interest in speaking to you. Please head inside.”

“What…?” Lady Iellaya blinked. Then an invisible mask seemed to settle over her face and she nodded like this was the most obvious thing in the world. Without sparing either of them a glance, Lady Iellaya stalked forward.

Randidly’s focus turned toward Vualla and Cail. But unfortunately, they settled next to each other without much comment. Both seemed content to wait with their thoughts. Randidly sighed and twisted the Nether Ritual to look toward the tent.

As he grew more proficient with the Skill, he realized that it was possible to move the perspective a bit, although Randidly wasn’t sure whether it was his own capabilities increasing or he was finally taking advantage of the options that were already present in the Nether Ritual. Either way, his focus drifted slowly toward the tent. The connection was directed toward Vualla, but as long as he didn’t stray too far away...

At the edge of the tent, Randidly hesitated. It was possible that there were defenses in the tent that would keep his Nether Ritual away. And in fact, Randidly could feel powerful lines of Aether coursing through one side of the tent, likely doing precisely that. But that was the far side, likely where all of the bodies were kept by Lord Miln.

Feeling himself stretch away from Vualla, Randidly slid through the service of the tent.

“What’s your game?” Lady Iellaya hissed.

Lord Miln was in his typical place behind his desk, looking at Lady Iellaya with an amused expression. “Aren’t we in the same boat? I seek to advance the status of my Citizenship ticket. In the Nexus, power and influence are everything. I simply cannot fail here. Why do you act like our interests are at odds?”

“Your leadership is bleeding us dry,” Lady Iellaya countered. Honestly, Randidly wished he would have come into the tent a little bit earlier to see what it was that Lord Miln had said earlier to upset Lady Iellaya so much. “Besides, do you not already have the qualification to apply for Tier 3 Citizenship? If you wish to retire-”

“What if Tier 3 isn’t the limit?” Lord Miln whispered.

Lady Iellaya froze.

Softly laughing, Lord Miln cracked his fingers. “I heard a rumor that Tier 4 is possible. Rare, but possible. It simply requires sufficient qualifications. You might see it as bleeding our forces… but that’s not what I’m doing. I’m setting the stage for my triumphant victory.”

“You are insane.” Lady Iellaya whispered. She shook her head. “Do you think that Tier 4 could remain hidden if it was true?”

“Do you think people like us are privy to all the secrets of the Nexus?” Suddenly, a shadow came across Lord Miln’s face. Then he slowly shook his head. “I know you’ve been investigating me… I advise you to stop, for your own sake. But I am a generous man. The rumor said that the reward for Tier 4 Citizenship is an entire Cohort… wouldn’t that amount of land be sufficient for my own purposes… and for your own followers to settle?”

Lady Iellaya stared at Lord Miln. The silence stretched until Lord Miln leaned purposefully forward.

“You have no idea how big this is going to be, Lady Iellaya. Set down your crown and serve me, and you will receive everything you ever desired.”

“...except a throne.” Lady Iellaya raised her head. The feathers on her arms flexed. “And that is the one thing I cannot compromise on. I have my integrity.”

“...fine, we will set aside the issue of fealty for now.” Lord Miln’s smile was wide and white. “However… perhaps an easier compromise is in order? Please, send the image ‘Yggdrasil’ to die in the Great Rift.”