Chapter 1120 (1/2)
As Vualla stood poised on the rocky outcropping of headquarters and looked down other the battlefield, time seemed to slow. She could pick out every single detail of the Nether Beasts that were leading the charge against the Aether defenders. She could see their inky black fur and talons, hear the reverberating noises of their battlecries.
She could feel their fierce joy as they killed. And she wanted to stop it with every fiber of her being.
This is what Randidly taught me. Vualla thought with remarkable lightness. Her hands clenched into fists. ThatI always have a choice. Everything I thought, everything I feel… I can choose to do whatever I want. I can follow those desires toward my goal, no matter how unlikely it is. That’s what freedom is.
Surviving if she went down to face that Nether Gatekeeper seemed entirely unlikely because that familiar voice that showed Vualla the track in her life was whispering now that this was too soon. She was too weak. If she went out now, she would die. And even if that was true, Vualla knew she would step forward. Because she wanted to, that was all the reason she needed.
If she wanted to become the person who would make her father proud…
I won’t stand back and wait for when I know the perfect thing to say. Vualla looked down at her gauntlets. I won’t become like these Commanders who wait for their perfect opportunity. Sometimes you just need to step forward and shape the world to become the opportunity you need.
And if I see you again Randidly. I’ll tell you that, to me, you-
But Vualla stopped herself there because the urge to cry rose up in her chest once more. Instead, she fixed her eyes on the Nether Gatekeeper.
“For the sake of your lives… I’ll bear the burden of destruction.” Vualla whispered quietly. Then she took several steps forward. Then she was running, then sprinting, her legs blurring as the distance between her and her target was devoured by her long steps. Soon she had built up so much momentum that each of her steps left a large crater in her wake as she hurtled down the mountain toward the battlefield below.
When she arrived, her image billowed outward and prepared to rip and tear.
*****
For a time after Vualla’s abrupt departure, the discussions of how to address the threat continued. But it was immediately clear that many of the Commanders present were swayed by Vualla’s words. The fact that they shared her opinion was evidenced by the fact that one had spoken up. Despite Lord Miln’s insistence that the Nether Prince was of paramount importance to their strategy, they refused to voice any support of him against Commander Terith’s stance.
Yggdrasil felt rather happy that his treant face was rather naturally unexpressive. Otherwise, he would need to use a branch to cover his smile as Lord Miln’s annoyance became increasingly pronounced.
“...so you will not surrender the Nether Prince for anything less than a direct order,” Lord Miln said grimly. Just as tight-lipped, Commander Terith nodded slowly. The terms of the ultimatum were laid out. Now it just depended on which path Lord Miln took.
Lady Iellaya had given Yggdrasil some background on the behind the scenes politics of the battlefield. Most of the time, the Commanders were perfectly willing to look the other way from what personal projects the Supreme Commander used their influence for… as long as the Supreme Commander refrained from issuing any direct orders to the Commanders.
There seemed to be some sort of code of honor at work to make such a rule workable, to the effect that most Commanders would obey requests even if they didn’t like them as long as they were reasonable. But it seemed that for whatever reason, everyone in the room agreed that handing over the Nether Prince crossed that unspoken line. It was not a reasonable request to make, even with the Nether King breathing down their neck.
Perhaps especially with the Nether King breathing down their neck.
Which made Yggdrasil extremely curious about the Nether Prince. He had just assumed that it was a moderately powerful individual within the Nether hierarchy, but they wouldn’t have such a bitter argument over this individual if they weren’t special beyond that.
After a long glare, Lord Miln looked down at the table. “...well, I suppose that’s enough for now. There is an army at our doorstep, ladies and gentlemen. We all have work to do. You are dismissed.”
Then, after a pause. “Ah, Lady Iellaya and retinue… stay. We must speak on a personal matter.”
Perhaps because of Lord Miln’s obvious pressure on Commander Terith during the meeting and the fact that she had earned significant respect for enduring the lion share’s of the attacks thus far, several Commanders exchanged glances and then looked at Lady Iellaya for guidance before they left the tent. She smiled in thanks for their concern but shook her head slightly. Seeing her decision, the lingering Commanders left.
Very soon, there were only five individuals left within the Command Tent. Lord Miln, Lady Iellaya, Abiodun, Yggdrasil, and the strange Cail Tweocs.
Lord Miln wasted no time. “The image of Randidly Ghosthound that was sent into the Great Rift has fallen heroically in battle. Truly, who could have expected that his Aether Key would be assaulted by the army of the Nether King? His sacrifice will not be forgotten… but per our agreement, the other images of Randidly Ghosthound will now come under my jurisdiction. Believe me, I will remember this favor, Lady Iellaya. If its in my power in the future… I will make your dream come true.”
Cail Tweocs chuckled darkly, but Lady Iellaya just stared at Lord Miln for several seconds. Then she spared Yggdrasil a meaningful glance. The feathers on her arm flexed and then settled back against her skin, as though she was considering something. Finally, she opened her mouth and said. “Does it really need to be this way…?”
Twisting his mouth, Lord Miln said coldly, “Are you trying to avoid our deal, Lady Iellaya?”
“No, I’m just trying to add an addendum to the deal.” Lady Iellaya’s face was carefully blank. “This image owes me a favor. And let’s not beat around the bush; you plan on disposing of this man immediately once you possess jurisdiction over his adrift images. So I would ask that you briefly allow the images to reunite with the body so this man can repay this favor before you take what you want from him.”