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Chapter 138: Let the Politicking Begin!
🕑 Added 2022-01-10 23:44:51 +0000 UTCThe Grand Hall of the Order of Flame’s Head Quarters is lavishly decorated with lit braziers and tapestries with the Order’s emblem embroidered into them. Tall pillars sculpted into the shape of wizards and knights hold up the ceiling and red fire crystals decorate the statue pillars.
A red and gold carpet plays out to the reception, where trophies of slain powerful monsters and displayed above for all to see. The Drake from the Ashland that Ruluna’s party slew has its head-mounted as the most recent trophy, it was a hard-won battle, and its eggs retrieved in hopes of gaining battle beasts.
Alysara does not seem impressed, but she may be blind; the illusion may look like someone else for all Ruluna knows. Regardless, it looks real enough that Ruluna has to use her [Sense Mana] to remind herself that the person standing next to her is, in fact, not real. She doesn’t know how Alysara is speaking through it, but it’s not the first time she’s witnessed some strange skill; powerful monsters often had those, like the Drake.
Ruluna walks up to the receptionist, a new girl who recently joined the Order. Upon seeing Ruluna and her entourage, she turns a little pale and makes her red hair stand out even more. She is clearly nervous and not ready to deal with high-ranking members.
“Inform Headmaster Vulpun that we have a VIP that he’d be very much interested in,” Ruluna says, leaning on the counter.
“Y-Yes, mam!” The young girl says stiffly and almost runs into the back. After two minutes, the girl ran back. “H-He’s ready for you!”
“Relax,” Ruluna tells the newbie, trying to calm her down. “No one here is going to the bit your tail off. Thank you for your work.”
The young girl bows and almost hit her head on the counter. Ruluna just sighs at the nervous wreck and leads Alysara into the back, Flame Paladin Julaly taking the rear. The Blackflames have gone back to their regular positions since they aren’t needed anymore. Ruluna leads Alysara through the equally lavash parts of the building. And into the guest meeting room. Ruluna knocks on the door to the room and waits for a reply.
“Enter.” To Vulpun’s command, Ruluna opens the door and, to Ruluna’s surprise, reveals all three Headmasters; Vulpun, Kolona, and Shalar. Ruluna hates not being able to use her [Sense Mana] in the Headquarters, but there are strict retaliations, something that Alysara is still bypassing, considering that Ruluna still feels being watched.
On the left is Kolona, his black hair is pulled back into a tail, and he wears the same uniform like the other two, to let all who see them immediately know he is a Headmaster. Kolona is the Head Master of the mages and oversees all the mage training, rank tests, and disciplinations.
In the middle is Vulpun, who keeps his reddish-brown hair short, his yellow eyes keeping a stern stare. He manages the Order overall, managing missions, meeting representatives of the Houses, and much more; he’s the face of the Order.
On the right is Shalar, she has long blond hair kept in a bun, she manages the warriors, as evident by her well-toned arms. Her expression shows her ‘no non-sense’ personality, keeping a frown with attentive blue eyes.
Ruluna, Alysara, and lastly, Julaly trails in. There are chairs sitting across the headmasters who look surprised by Alysara’s appearance and her perfectly matching clothes. She changed her illusion’s appearance to something the high society would wear, somehow making it so immaculate and beautiful as to put any House lady to shame.
Her navy blue dress flutters, and she takes a step closer and curtsies in the traditional way.
“Greetings, I am Alysara” Alysara seems to have adopted a new persona, a more diplomatic one, yet her voice retains its beautiful musicality. “I apologize for causing alarm in your Order; we only recently learned of your existence and need to study your society as to not accidentally offend you; allow me to show my goodwill by bringing you two gifts.”
Alysara holds out a hand, and two items materialize, an orb that hovers in place and a sword with an icy sheath; Alysara half pulls out the sword to show it off. It glows with the fury of an inferno, threatening to ignite the air. The orb has unknown runes and shapes in a golden color along its surface, matching well with its deep red color. The sword is equally beautiful, with golden runes running down its length and a watery blue handle with a firey blade guard stylized in the shape of flames. Ruluna [Analyzes] the items.
Fire Focusing Orb (Enchanted):
This orb, made by a master of mana crafts, enhances all fire spells by 200% and can hover according to the will of its linked master.
Blade of Flame (Enchanted):
This sword, made by a master of mana crafts, retains its edge even against the toughest of materials and enhances all cutting damage by 200%. This sword will burn and inject fire into all wounds it causes. Stores up to 10000 fire mana and passively draw in mana in from its surrounding.
Ruluna can’t help but gape at the powerfully enchanted items in front of her, and Alysara is just giving them away! They are more powerful than many magic items! They are equal to at least major tier items, and they are only enchanted!
Since they are enchanted, they will draw mana from their users to power the enchantments, but even then, it’s worth the increased mana costs. Even the sword is drawing in mana from the air, so the user doesn’t have to rely on storing their own mana!
The room is locked in stunned silence as everyone tries to recover from this surprise. Thinking about it, Ruluna never [Alanyzed] the dress she showed, but she wouldn’t put it past her if it was enchanted.
This is another clever move; it’s saying that this is commonplace for them and that war is not advisable. Ruluna wonders whether Alysara is merely the diplomatic mouthpiece; whoever is leading their diplomacy is a political genius.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I stand there, trying not to look awkward. Did I perhaps not make them good enough? Tusile wants to establish trade relations, so I thought showing off my Enchanted work will entice them. I did put the effort in making these items since this is also a way of saying ‘sorry’ for spying on them and smoothing over everything, but maybe I didn’t try hard enough?
“Err, thank you for these gifts; I am Vulpun,” the man in the middle introduced himself. He tries to school his face and quickly gets under control, as do the others.
“I am Kolona,” The man on the left introduces.
“I am Shalar” The woman of the right nods.
Shalar picks up the sword and inspects it. “It’s well made, but I don’t know what metal it’s made from.”
“Same with the Orb, Kolona says”
“It’s made entirely from mana,” I inform them, the instincts from [Acting] telling me that it’s good to explain these sorts of details.
Ruluna makes a noise of surprise by trying to suppress it. I ignore it, as do the Headmasters.
“It’s enchanted in a way so that the enchantments won’t ever degrade,” I add.
“Not ever? I know enchantments typically last a hundred or two years, but how can you guarantee that?” Vulpun asks.
[Acting] warns me not to give too much away, the Political persona giving the right instincts to recognize attempts to get me to reveal information that I should keep secret.
“We have a method of enchanting that prevents decay; besides, metallic mana is inherently resistant to decay anyway,” I answer.
The Headmasters look at each other.
“You know a lot about mana,” Kolona compliments.
[Acting] prevents me from disclosing any information.
“I do” Is all I say. One thing I quickly learned is that diplomacy and politics aren’t exactly the same. The diplomacy role had me reveal more information as making friends and establishing relations is best for its role, but right now, I need a political role which works well for only disclosing what is needed.
Considering how these people are always trying to lead me into disclosing information, I figured the political role is best for this situation. They don’t pursue any attempts but instead shift focus to other things or broaden their questions. It’s possible that their society is heavily focused on trade secrets that rivals want to get.
I would love to just say, ‘Hey, wanna open up trade between our people?’ but my role instincts say it’s best to let them suggest it first. Blech, politics is leaving a sour taste in my mouth; thankfully, another mind is teaching Lotis and her friend to add some sweetness.
“You came at a very opportune time,” Vulpun says, his watchful gaze studying my reaction. “But I suppose you know all about that.”
I actually don’t, but I guess something must have happened.
“Perhaps, to what might you be referring to? There are many things in which I might be an opportunity in.” I reply with a poker face.
Vulpun glances at the others before answering
“War is likely on the horizon with the kingdom over the eastern mountains.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She’s good. Vulpun praises in his mind.
This young girl, if that’s even her real appearance, has a good political mind but clearly lacks years of experience. The delivery of the gifts was a stroke of genius, but now he can confidently say this girl isn’t the source of that but was rather coached. Politicians often make good spies, which seems to fit this girl.
She is not proposing any agreements, a good move as that says her people doesn’t need or even want it, but she wouldn’t be here if that was the case. Instead, she wants us to propose trade which gives her an upper hand.
What Vulpun needs is not just trade but their craftsmen that can make such good enchanted items to work on their leviathan materials. It’s the key facto; if they can turn their materials into top-grade items, maybe even heroic and legendary items, then they might win the war.
There are enough Leviathan materials for an entire legion, and they need them before the enemy can equip their army. It pains Vulpun, but he has to be the one to propose a trade, but not now. He needs to speak with the lady Vanu Runa Lysha and Governer Vanu Runa Orlan. Lysha, being the head of the offensive army, needs this, and the more she pays for the trade, the less the Order of Flames needs to.
By getting the Governor to propose a trade, Vulpun can hitch onto it and maybe secure a better deal for the both of them.
“But that is a discussion for another day. For now, enjoy our hospitality; we’ll try to arrange a meeting with the Governor.” Vulpun says, standing up gesturing farewell. “Thank you again for your gifts.”
Alysara curtsies with perfect grace and elegance before walking out, Ruluna and Julaly saluting and escorting the guest; her long tails catch Vulpun’s eyes with their graceful dancing as she walks through the door.
“Thoughts?” Vulpun asks.
Shalar stands up and gives the sword a twirl. The edge makes the air around it waver from its heat.
“Pure fire, mana. I don’t know how they did it, but with a society that can do this, it’s no wonder she mastered [Sense Mana].”
“Agreed” Kolona nods. “In Ruluna’s report, she says Alysara admitted they are craftsmen; I can see why now. Such work of perfection shows the best they have to offer and does not disappoint.”
“However, it’s the items she herself is wearing that interests me the most, but I could not [Analyze] them; it’s as if they weren’t even there,” Shalar says, testing different poses with the sword. “How the hell did they get opposing mana to merge like this?” Shalar mutters thoughtfully, looking at the handle.
“Onto the political side of things,” Kolona says. “She’s careful, inexperienced but careful. You’re more of the expert in the field, Vulpun; what do you think?”
“We are at her mercy. She can pretty much name her price, and we’d have to agree. It’s no coincidence she chose now of all time to come, well, mostly. If we never contacted her first, she wouldn’t even be here. But showing herself so soon shows that she has been paying attention and chose our side first.”
“Meaning if we don’t agree to her terms and secure an exclusive deal, she can just go to the other side.” Shalar chimes in. “Moving onto the girl herself, she’s obviously well trained in her Bond, I know House Ora Ara, it’s no mistaking that she also has a beauty Bond, the most frightful thing is that she is far more proficient in it. Considering the meeting, I conclude she met us with an illusion, but I didn’t risk retaliation to confirm.”
“An illusion?” Kolona asks. “But the storage ring is real; these items are real!”
“Yes, she managed to make solid illusions but does that surprise you when she introduced these items?” Shalar retorts. “I am sure her Bond is in the five hundreds; at least we don’t feel her presence simple because she was not actually here, and that means she has some strange skills to pilot the illusion.”
Vulpun sighs. Shalar’s intuition is almost never wrong, but that just makes Alysara even more dangerous and mysterious.
“And then there’s her knowledge into [Sense Mana]; any chances we can trade for that?” Kolona asks.
“We have to try,” Vulpun answers.
Comments
HattmanHendrix
A few spelling mistakes…
ShotoGun
This arc is shaping up nicely. Much less boring than the last few.
Giperman
The whole mood of this chapter
Tjark
I mean, in a way it's always been known she will at some point be at least a demi-god. Just look at Safyr. She is more or less a demi-god to the Runalymo as she's regarded as their guardian while Myrou is their goddess. Similarly almost all of the more unique and accomplished legendary beings are akin to demi-gods. The dragons are creatures of legends for example. Then we have the order of oathbound among the humans from the 1st side chapter which was also demigod-like with the emperor actually being godlike. It's called legendary being for a reason. Whether that will actually have any consequences in the question of her gaining 'divine' abilities is unknown. At the same time she is already considering the bond and everything as divinity and a natural counterpart of magic. It's all in the perspective but suffice to say she will definitely at some point and up as one of the most powerful beings in existence. ps: curious about the pain of making the staff too
Sondrex76
My thoughts on the patron only chapters are in a different comment. I found a few potential minor misspellings and such while reading: 124 "Well, prepare things on this end; you'l" -> "We'll, prepare things on this end; you'l" "history regional items showing up in oth" -> "history, regional items showing up in oth" "nation's the second shows a stapl" -> "nation's, the second shows a stapl" "Myrous blessing. Environmental " -> "Myrou's blessing. Environmental " "judging on the mind essence around several members of the " -> "judging by the mind essence around several members of the " "puppeteer others. I'll hav" -> "puppeteering others. I'll hav" 125 "one basing themselves around" -> "eight basing themselves around" "area that the city-states are. " -> "area where the city-states are. " "like too kindly being spied upon, b" -> "take too kindly to being spied upon, b" "time instead of having more fu" -> "times instead of having more fu" "I've adverted or fixed three disast" -> "I've averted or fixed three disast" 126 "atom's protons, neutro" -> "atoms' protons, neutro" "what inscriptions can truly be " -> "that inscriptions can truly be " "frameworks to accomplish. This false mag" -> "frameworks to function. This false mag" "flay over to the du" -> "fly over to the du" 127 "This is pier is used almo" -> "This is a pier used almo" "Lotis' complaint. "Your Bon" -> "Lotis's complaint. "Your Bon" "Alysara, we going to fly today, ri" -> "Alysara, we're going to fly today, ri" "They are my sisters, Yafe and Y" could be "These are my sisters, Yafe and Y" "can't also neglect the things I h" -> "also can't neglect the things I h" "should consider getting my s" -> "consider getting my s" 128 "evolution of adds on to the existing framework with littl" -> "evolution adds on to the existing framework with littl" "goal is two make the ready" -> "goal is to make the reader" " Stygian hackles raise as it se" -> " Stygian's hackles raise as it se" "and its skill are too low " could be "and its skills are too low " "gazed upon with the weigh" -> "gazed upon us with the weigh" 129 "framework is can only" -> "framework can only" " magic than there is divinity. The " -> " magic as there is divinity. The " "f the Lyran’s team dies and Ruluna’s teams does not" -> "f Lyran’s team dies and Ruluna’s teams does not" "Thankfully Command Tent is set s" -> "Thankfully the Command Tent is set s" "out. Gana complains.”" -> "out” Gana complains." 130 "it like that answer is obvious." -> "it like that the answer is obvious." "magic but virtue" -> "magical but virtue" "but watch Esofy and the others fight without me," -> "but watching Esofy and the others fight without me made me realize that" "enemies you get used to them. It may do us all a" -> "enemies: you get used to them. It may do us all a" 131 " monster on land that you ha" -> " monsters on land that you ha" "Lotis’ tenth year is next" -> "Lotis’s tenth year is next" "like, you so most don’t" -> "like you, so most don’t" "Lotis' expression." -> "Lotis's expression." "but it’s just the act of killing the mo" -> "but it’s not just the act of killing the mo" "from of her then pinches a" -> "front of her then pinches a" 132 "warrior’s oversized " -> "warriors’ oversized " "narrowly catching the group waiting" -> "narrowly missing the group waiting" " flank, open Kadona tak" -> " flank open Kadona tak" "Kadona’s sword bits into the" -> "Kadona’s sword bites into the" "spine to the neck swing her scythe and " -> "spine to the neck and swings her scythe, " "the Felins back; she " -> "the Felin's back; she " "Esofy, runs down " -> "Esofy runs down " "like mush like her bones had " -> "like mush, as if her bones had " "guys doing stand around " -> "guys doing standing around " "all, fighting the same monsters all this time, and you won’t be able to properly adapt; to unknown monsters" -> "all, after fighting the same monsters all this time you might not be able to properly adapt to unknown monsters" "key I can attune it to the" -> "key, I can attune it to the" or "key and I can attune it to the" 133 "and others, but it wasn’t ve" -> "and the others, but it wasn’t ve" "friend Kyhana, Kyhana is around Lotis’s ag" could be something like "friend; Kyhana, Kyhana is around Lotis’s ag" "yet t realize " -> "yet to realize " "lp me, I was consulted ancient beings on " -> "lp me, I was consulted by ancient beings with " "Kyhana she has a rare knowled" -> "Kyhana, she has a rare knowled" "the fairies counter-attack, " -> "the fairies' counter-attack, " "withstand attack this ferocious. Th" -> "withstand attacks this ferocious. Th" "man. I start channeling more " -> "mana. I start channeling more " "wooden spear follow my" -> "wooden spears follow my" 134 "deforested turned into mulch. Even the gro" -> "deforested and turned into mulch. Even the gro" "Treants head. Next, I look deeper into it, an orb" -> "Treant's head. Next, I look deeper into it, an orb" " like my space manipulation one I ha" -> " like the space manipulation one I ha" " for the wielders sensing abilities." -> " for the wielder's sensing abilities." "one of my Bond skills I gained befor" -> "one of the Bond skills I gained befor" "eyes rough shape mo" -> "eyes' rough shape mo" or if it was only one: "eye's rough shape mo" "Treants [Nature Manipulation] skill; " -> "Treant's [Nature Manipulation] skill" "unheard of; I’ll have to ask Kayafe if she knows anything similar." -> "unheard of; I’ll have to ask Kayafe if she knows of anything similar." "and also made this made, aren’t I am" -> "and also made this, aren’t I am" 135 "hem. I bet is that " -> "hem. I bet that " "That is really impress" -> "It is really impress" "but I what for kayafe to " -> "but I wait for kayafe to " "eyes wraps became a ma" -> "eye wraps became a ma" "not share my own enthusiasm." -> "not sharing my own enthusiasm." "even it meant the lives of that ha" -> "even if it meant the lives of that ha" "The republic politics is weird, only the member of House Vanu Runa " -> "The republic's politics is weird, only a member of House Vanu Runa " "fall playing with peoples lives." -> "fall for playing with peoples lives." "pressure on just around the items. I am holdin" -> "pressure just around the items. I am holdin" "think she is from our ancestor’s homeland." -> "think she is from our ancestors’ homeland." 136 "sure she is not hostile right now; maybe t" -> "sure, she is not hostile right now; maybe t" "will spell be? Never mind " -> "will a spell be? Never mind " "next meet Ruluna teaches A" -> "next meeting Ruluna teaches A" "notes or her memory enhanc" -> "notes or her memory is enhanc" "have at least three days to Alysara and prepare h", not entierly wure what to suggest for this one. "months of sail anyway; it’s " -> "months of sailing anyway; it’s " 137 "short one since e didn’t " -> "short one since we didn’t " "moved the Temple Island, allow" -> "moved to Temple Island, allow" "need to all everything that will make this " -> "need to make everything that will make this " "With the of [Inquisitive Perfe" -> "With the help of [Inquisitive Perfe" "that when her mind clicks, the " -> "that is when her mind clicks, the " "more deeper than Ruluna gave credit." -> "deeper than Ruluna gave credit." "so much gracefully." -> "so much more gracefully." "stationed, checking everyone who enters, " -> "stationed there, checking everyone who enters, " "poorer become poorer, the " -> "poor become poorer, the " 138 "and displayed above " -> "are displayed above " "going to the bit your tail off. Thank you for your " -> "going to bite your tail off. Thank you for your " "still feels being watched." -> "still feels like she is being watched." "need to study your society as to not accid" -> "needed to study your society so as to not accid" "quickly gets under control, as do the " -> "quickly gets it under control, as do the " "surprise by trying to suppress it. I ignore" -> "surprise while trying to suppress it. I ignore" "There are many things in which I might be an " -> "There are many things in which I might see an " "of all time to come, well, mostly. I" -> "of all times to come, well, mostly. I" "presence simple because she was not ac" -> "presence simply because she was not ac" Thanks again for writing and have a nice day!
Sondrex76
Nice chapters! (I am referring to all the ones that are not public at the moment). I wonder if she is going to become a demi-god at some point. Very close to each other a cat monster got convinced she was a god, and a group of soldiers sort of thought she may be one. If that trend continues she may start getting worshippers, and considering her ability to observe and be at many places, she is uniquely qualified for such tasks (even if she would absolutely hate the very concept). I imagine a scenario in which she gets worshippers and then gets offered a class or class evolution that does not seem like a divine class at the surface, beyond it requiring some worshippers to get, but that takes her to the path of divinity. That's more of a long-term possibility though, and it may have been a red-herring, or a case of the author showing how she appears to other people, like they did in a few other chapters. There could also be a legendary achievements in getting enough worshippers, or maybe in having multiple heroic monsters think she is a god, but that seems unlikely, or at least not very plausible to be a realistic possibility for her. If she ever does start the path to ascension, perception and observation, as well as magic, seems like logical domains, maybe with a bit of beauty put in there. Maybe the monster will become her familiar? There may be a system for that, and then since it thinks she is a god, it could later become a divine emissary or something, assuming something like ascension will eventually take place (which I honestly doubt). I am very curios about why she felt pain when she made the tree item, and what it will do when used. Maybe she accidentally made a cursed magic item, but she would have felt that, and she have made too many magic items even before that, so maybe she just have too much experience and its creating items? Maybe she has to use that mythic point at some point? We shall see I am sure. Thanks for writing, it was a lot of fun. I found a few potential minor misspellings and such and will leave them in a separate comment.
MadGod
Sasuga Ainz-sama!
Squirtle
It would require her to increase her perception pressure to specifically look at quality of enchanted items/magic items. As far as we know, she only increased her pressure to Analyze people/monsters and to get a better look at specific things. Remember that her lesser pressure doesnt cause retaliation, but she can't see as clearly with it. So, its possibly she didnt look at the quality of their magic items/enchanted items... I think she should have if she was gifting such items.
Venalitor
"I stand there, trying not to look awkward. Did I perhaps not make them good enough?" - After all the study Alysara's done on their society, she knows damned well if the items she gifted them are good enough.
Allpa
TFTC found some typo's powerful monsters and displayed ==> powerful monsters are displayed [Alanyzed] ==> [Analyzed] we don’t feel her presence simple because ==> we don’t feel her presence simply because
Robert Mullins
That awkward moment when you want to establish trade with a foreign nation but they are only interested in items from a 14 year old girl who crafts as a hobby and largely has no personal need for money.
Felrook
It’s always fun when your blind (heh) stumbling ends up looking like pure genius
Giperman
"She's good" "Ah damn. Did I screw up?" Hillarious
