Chapter 684: True Demonlord [15] (2/2)
”Color me impressed,” the lift arrived, ”-the manor feels secure. Albeit, too much,” they stopped to a peep, ”-he's brought in heavy weapons to fend off attackers. Manor's basically a military outpost.”
”What about the state, what do they have to say?”
”What state, the law doesn't apply to us. I speak not in arrogance but truth, the mortal world has no authority to lay harm onto what the master possesses. We do our best to fulfill his will. Take time and enjoy the company, I promise, life won't be dull.” He drew up to the gallery where Starix waited before the paintings, ”-the master called.”
”Alright,” she nodded.
'What sort of life awaits us in this world I wonder?' as he thought, the door barged opened, ”-ÉCLAIR, WE NEED MONEY!” cried Asmodeus.
”What's with them,” returned Éclair angrily, he stormed to the entrance and unloaded a volley of insults. Weirdly enough, for the first time in ages, Cora felt serenity in the chaos, '-I'm glad we came.'
The study door shifted softly, ”-you asked for me?”
”Starix, take a seat,” said Igna.
”Alright,” the genderless homunculus was easy on the eyes, an advantage of which the world held at high esteem. ”Starix, when you reawakened, what talent did thee wish for?”
”To be someone of great wit and intellect, I wanted to aid in strategies.”
”Strategy,” he dug a few files and fired them across the room, the holographical display took her a few moments to digest, ”-here's the current state of affairs. Raven's are locked in the great battle against three exponentially strong families, a three versus one. On one hand, the Raven has the backing of a few men, while the three others are of a whole army with an endless amount of supplies and money. What will it take to win?”
”Give me a moment,” she scanned the documents effortlessly, page after page, her pupils went left to right, ”-perhaps, a change of side is needed.”
”Care to explain?”
”If Raven's are the supplier, they hold the market. It's understandable the trio will want to fight and get their share of the pie. If Raven's are to switch sides and ally to another party, the balance of power will come to a standstill.”
”Stop right there, the Raven's mustn't have outside help.”
”Simple really, use force. Take out as many of their members, fight a battle of attrition. There's the invasion of monsters; might I suggest, as the King of Monsters, an attack under the guise of an assault isn't far from the picture. How about an independent party blindsides the families, let them be unknown and the product of nature. It should be easy to pass off a massacre when monsters are involved.”
”I like the idea, tell me more.”
”More,” she paused, ”-Raven stand no chance with Asmodeus and Kul. They need more members and a stronger core.”
”What if you became the core?”
”Me, core?” perplexion echoed about her visage, ”-I don't understand.”
”Starix, what you proposed was exactly what I thought a few hours ago. It's yet to be decided how to go about the battle. We need the favor of the town first; I have the perfect puppet. The lady owes us more than she could ever repay. Establish a direct link to Éclair, work together as the core of Raven. Money rules the world – the ultimate objective is to bring the Dark-Guild into Alphia. We need not wipe out the families, they're backed by Conglomerates, murder alone isn't going to win the battle. Change the mindset of fighting monsters to fighting people, you were a princess, you know how politics works, use those experiences. From today onward, you're assigned to the Raven.”
”Are you sure my lord?”
*Realm of which I preside, grant me sight into a person's true self, grant me the authority to bypass their psyche – True Sight.*
'I see,' the blatantly shiny pupils scanned top to bottom, *Partial Realm Expansion: Shadow Realm Variant – Rantiam.* a barrier entrapped her body, '-she's stronger than normal humans but weaker than apostles. She'll need to be able to fight, let's increase her latent abilities to be on par with Platinum Ranked Adventurers. She seems more of the type to lead as the commander. I'll grant her the ability to summon part of the undead army inside the Shadow realm.'
”Master?”
”Sorry,” *dispel.* ”-I've bestowed greater abilities and the skill to summon and recruit undead fighters. Basically, necromancy. This should compensate for the lack of members in Raven, am I correct?”
”Yes, very much so,” doubt remained steadfast.
”Don't worry,” *snap,* a heavy-armed insurgent of a puppet summoned, ”-they're strong and won't die; they have the protection of the Shadow Realm. Only transfer those who are worthy of the title, the art of necromancy is a talent not to be taken lightly.”
”Alright master,” she nodded and left.
'Sister Eira and Mother have become important figures in the world. The Federations are in dire need of help. The situation pertaining to the attacks has gotten worse.'
*dring,* ”-master, unidentified figure inbound, permission to shoot.”
”Denied,” he teleported to the roof, ”-I know that presence.” A massive gust carried to a soft landing, a figure with levitated hair stood with a tensed expression, ”-Igna, the imperial family is in danger, I need help.”
”Loftha,” he turned nonchalantly, ”-shouldn't my sister be there to protect?”
”She's on honeymoon with my brother, our land is being invaded by monsters, the leader is an entity who can replicate my skills,” on closer look, her face and arms were in an utter mess, the fatigued forced her to on the knees.
”Why come to me?”
”You're strong, I heard the rumors. Please, I'm begging you.”
”Don't beg,” he knelt and held her chin, ”-I like it better when you have a strong expression, not this mess of a woman. Don't beg, since my sister married into Alphia, I share the responsibility.” *Mana Control: Healing Element Variant: Restoration.* a polite hue eased the extreme pain.
”Don't patronize me,” her vigor returned, ”-I prefer men of actions.”
”Suit yourself,” he stood and offered his handkerchief, ”-a princess mustn't lower her head, no matter the ordeal.”