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Chapter 73 – Interlude: The Plan
🕑 Added 2023-02-12 14:57:12 +0000 UTCSure, it was great that a [Maid] was receiving a revelation on new skills, but truth be told, that was a minor matter in the grand scale of things. A magical plague was a big issue, and naturally, important people would have to decide how it would be dealt with.
To be more precise, three important people.
One a master of the arcane, one a leader of the faith, and the last a magnate of industry. Three key facets of the nation, and the backbone of its strength. It was time for their meeting.
There were a few others present too, of course, a meeting needed assistants and such, and Cadeau Ross was one of those.
True, calling a nigh-level 40 [Mage] a mere assistant might be a bit odd, and he was important enough to ride in the same carriage as two of the important ones, but he still paled in comparison.
Not that he minded it.
In fact, Cadeau was rather pleased with himself for managing to secure a place at this meeting. As he opened the door to the rooftop terrace and gave a proper bow to [Grand Magus] Mondoug, he had to work to hide his eager smile.
Meetings like these made history, and he was going to be part of it. Further success in his career was practically guaranteed! He patiently maintained his bow as the [Lord] and [Archbishop] followed the [Grand Magus] into the room, and then stood up when only the [High Templar] bodyguard remained.
They shared a glance, some small spark of understanding passing between them. Cadeau smiled, gestured for the heavily-armored man to enter, then followed him in, closing the door behind him.
The venue was a pleasantly warm dining area atop the restaurant, kept at summer temperatures with an indulgent use of magic contraptions. The murmurs of the crowd outside were similarly quieted by a privacy contraption, but vision outside was not blocked.
The room had a single oaken table within, with three seats set and ready. After a few quiet but firm handshakes, the three important men sat down.
The [High Templar] went to stand behind Villefore, eyes sharp and always on guard. Cadeau went to stand behind his own superior, Mondoug and stood silent—ready to take notes or follow commands as needed.
Only [Lord] Du Angler had no attendants, which made his disposition shrink before the other two, but there was good reason for that.
The guilty party rarely was allowed counsel.
“This is a fine pit you’ve dug us, Du Anglers,” Villefore began. The old priest sighed and took off the hat that marked his office, laying it on the table in front of him. His eyes were tired. “People are demanding action, and I can only reassure them for so long.”
“I’ve done no error!” The [Lord] snapped back, slamming his fist on the table. “I have strict measures in place to ensure that pollution levels are kept steady and measured, according to plan as you know, and there have been no missteps in that!”
“Yet—accidents happen, and now we have this situation,” Mondoug spoke, eyeing the [Lord] coldly. Every word the mage spoke sparked with arcane power, making his displeasure clear. He leaned back in his chair and gestured up at Cadeau. “Would you serve the wine? This will take some time.”
Cadeau nodded and reached into his own [Bag of Holding], taking out one of the fine vintages kept there. He applied [Rapid Cooling] to the bottle, setting the temperature just right, then set glasses for the two men he had traveled with, then filled them. The [High Templar] procured a drink for the [Archbishop].
Trust only went so far.
Mondoug waited for the drinks to be served, then took up his glass and enjoyed a long sip of the red wine. Setting it down, he finally turned back to the [Lord]. “I’ve received a report that your workers here have to come into the factory even if they’re sick, as long as they can operate the machinery. Is this situation really that surprising?”
Du Anglers did not flinch back at the accusation and maintained a steady gaze on the robed man. “Don’t make insinuations that are unfound. I’ve had the policy in place for over one and a half decades, and this is the first time we've had such an incident.”
He looked at his drink for a moment but did not move to drink it, rather continuing his talk, eyes flickering between the other two. “You both know we can’t allow the shipyards to stall when flu season comes around. The last big war was a close affair, and without the reinforcements I provided…”
Villefore waved him off with a tired sigh. “What’s done is done. Now we need a solution. Since it's you two who arrived, I trust the [Grand Doctor] is still unavailable?”
Mondoug nodded, grimacing. “The situation in the Vanga colony is still ongoing, and it would take him quite some time to travel back to the mainland. At least things here are contained, back there it spread out quite a bit.”
“Just our luck,” Du Anglers cursed, shaking his head.
Cadeau almost caught himself nodding along, then stopped, cursing the [Lord’s] skills. Damned influencers. Even if it is true…
The [Archbishop] grimaced. “Without a level 50 [Doctor], things will be difficult to rein in. Is that why you came, Mondoug?”
The [Grand Magus] nodded. “I will resolve the situation. One way or another. We won’t have another Temms scenario.”
Villefore nodded, some color returning to his face. “That is a small reassurance at least—if we had another larger incident only 8 years after the previous…” He took a long drink, eyes focused in thought, then finally turned back to the others. “I think I can see how we should spin this.”
“The Vanga situation?” [Lord] Du Anglers asked, a spark of cunning glinting in his eyes.
“Yes, precisely so,” the old priest said, setting his glass back down. “Really, what are the chances that two magical plagues would strike us at once? We know one in the colonies was orchestrated by the Nordic Union, so why not this one too?”
Du Anglers smiled, revealing crooked teeth. “That does sound sensible to me.”
“Don’t rest too easy,” Mondoug said, giving the [Lord] a glare. “I still hold you responsible for this, and I want recompense.”
The [Lord] grimaced, shrinking back in his seat. After a pause, he gave a terse nod. “I’ll get you more funding for your academy and projects. But—I do have a condition.”
The [Grand Magus] gave him a threatening look, and a spark of magic flashed in his eyes. “You are hardly in a space to give conditions.”
The [Lord] snorted. “This will benefit us all, I am a patriot too you know. My best shipyards are still overrun on that island, and we can’t risk them being damaged anymore. The factories are one thing—but the yards hold three almost complete dreadnaught class vessels. We can’t risk that—it’s a setback of years.”
“I see,” Mondoug answered, looking at the crowds below the terrace. He thought in silence for a moment, then finally nodded. “I can make sure they’re cleared promptly. I need a foothold on the islands to handle the cleansing, so we’ll make our landing on the shipyard, clear the area, and then you can save what you can.”
“How do you plan to do it?” Du Anglers asked, face doubtful. “I won’t have you raining fire on my shipyard.”
The [Grand Magus] gave him a look and shook his head. He gestured below the terrace, at the many hunters gathered at the plaza. “Of course I won’t do that part myself. Why do you think we called in hunters? Leave the monster hunting to the specialists. I’ll just deal with the final cleansing, and make sure no traces are left.”
He gestured up, and Cadeau held his breath. Finally, my opportunity has come.
“I’ll have my assistant handle leading the assault. I trust you’ll be fine Cadeau?”
Cadeau nodded eagerly. “Of course sir, I’ll make sure to handle matters just as you need. Should I note down specifics?”
“Later,” Mondoug, said, waving a dismissive hand. He looked at his assistant for a moment, frowning in thought, then turned to the [Archbishop]. “I don’t trust those plague-mask artifacts, too mass produced—not enough focus on quality. Villefore, I expect you will do your part too?”
The wizened man didn’t hesitate, just nodded and began to stand up. “Of course—I’ll ward your men.” He turned to Cadeau. “Please approach, child.”
Cadeau felt his heart thundering, as those old but kindly eyes turned to him. Am I really going to—?
With reverence, he stepped forward, and kneeled in front of the [Archbishop], holding his breath.
The man nodded and then spoke, activating a skill far greater than a mere capstone.
“[Chalice of Bestowing].”
A gleaming chalice made of silver and gold inlaid red gemstones appeared in front of him, floating, filled with sparkling essence. All eyes in the room went to it, gazes of reverence and greed. Only the [High Templar] remained vigilant, protecting the treasure his duty was beholden to.
A true relic of the great [Saint] Jean, passed down in skill form.
Cadeaue’s eyes widened, and he froze still from shock, staring at the golden cup. I’m going to receive the blessing?
[Archbishop] Villerofre reached a hand inside, grabbing a fistful of sparkling essence, which he brought to Cadeau’s forehead. He drew a calm and precise square there, the symbol of the faith, and the glimmering energy began sparkling.
[Applying temporary tag <Crusader>…]
[Temporary Skill Divine Plague Resistance granted!]
The clear female voice sounded younger than usual, and as the words faded, a sparkling amulet materialized around Cadeau’s neck, and he shivered at its cold touch. Reverently, he felt at it with his hands.
“Thank you, Father Villefore,” He finally said, managing to drag the words out of his stunned mouth.
Villefore nodded at him, then dismissed the chalice and sat back down. “Don’t remove that amulet, and keep to the teachings of the church, and the blessing should stay for quite a while. You may get up.”
Cadeau got up and returned to stand beside Mondoug, eyes shining.
The [Archbishop] turned back to the other two, who had fallen silent at the display. There were few people who did not feel longing for that power upon seeing it, but the church had held it for many hundred years now. There were reasons for that.
“I can do a few more of your men, as the need arises,” Villefore said, leaning back in his seat. “But the reservoir has limits.”
Mondoug smiled and stood up. “Well, I believe that covers everything for this initial meeting. Shall we finish things?”
“I don’t see why not,” Du Anglers said, standing up too.
Villefore was last to rise, taking his bodyguard’s arm for support.
Cadeau rushed to refill the [Grand Magus’s] glass, then took a step back from the three.
All three men looked at each other, nodded, then held up their glasses. They spoke as one.
“For Queen and Country,
For Glory and Conquest,
And last of all, for the return of [Saints]!”
They took the glasses to their mouths, drank everything down in one go, then threw them onto the ground, smashing the glass to bits.
Remnants of the wine flowed through the sparkling shards, like blood in a jungle of daggers.
And so, the meeting ended, with Cadeau watching over it all enviously, hoping he would one day stand among them.
—
After the meeting, Cadeau stood outside the restaurant, taking notes as the [Grand Magus] spoke.
“I’ll need to secure several locations with minimal mana taint in them, so make sure to measure proper places once you get there.”
“Yes, sir.”
They were veiled under a sound-dispersing magical field, so nobody else could hear them speak. Still, Cadeau felt the many gazes from the people at the plaza and relished the feeling. If I perform well at this… maybe I would even get a level-up?
The [Grand Magus] was silent for a moment, then reached into his pockets, handing out one last note for Cadeau. “Here is a list of ingredients and tools I’ll need from the academy. Handle the requests and deliveries. I authorize the usage of the highest-speed transfers. I’ll need to prepare the ritual for three days, so your duty will be to ensure everything will be ready by then. Am I understood?”
“Clear as light,” Cadeau said, taking the note and adding the items from it to his to-do memo.
Mondoug thought for a moment more, evidently making sure he had not forgotten to mention anything, then finally turned. “Then, I’ll be off.”
The [Grand Magus] snapped his fingers, tapping into one of the many gemstones at his belt. One began glowing with a clear white light, and a torrent of wind-mana covered the man. Slowly, his robes billowing furiously in the wind, he rose into the air, then flew off with the speed of a hawk.
Cadeau followed his flight until he disappeared into the distance, then turned to the plaza, smiling at the gawking eyes. The sir always does know how to make an impression.
Chuckling, he dismissed the privacy field and began making his way to the hunter’s guild desk, weaving through the myriad hunters gathered. Most were wearing the masks by now—though the nearest disease carriers were quite a distance away. Cadeau felt at the amulet by his neck, glad of the safety it provided.
I wouldn’t step within a hundred feet of an [Infected] with only a mask like that as protection…
Handling things with the guild was a quick affair. He had to speak with the guild head for a few minutes, then wait as the people were gathered up, and soon he was standing atop the plaza’s grand staircase, looking down at the mass of hunters waiting below.
Now, with the big three gone to handle matters of their own, this rested on him. The first strike in solving this crisis—a moment that would be noted down in history. Already he saw some people ready to take notes, ready to mark his words down to history.
Finally, he no longer faded into the background.
For a long moment, Cadeau let the silence hang as he observed the people who were his to command. Many were holding bows, throwing spears and other ranged weapons, as few wanted to risk close combat in a situation like this.
Then, his gaze paused, falling on one grouping rather different than the others. Not wearing armor, but dresses. Four women, quite distinct from the other mass. And one especially… Is that a [Maid]?
He almost thought they were passing civilians or officials, but they all had masks in hand. He shook his head. There really are all sorts of weird people in this world. A hunter in a [Maid] outfit… now there’s a joke.
Then, finally, he activated his voice-enhancing artifact, and spoke.
“Hunters! I thank you all for answering the call of duty and coming to aid us in this crisis!”
He would have liked to lay the blame on the Nordic Union right then and there, but that task would be on the [Archbishop], whose word could overpower truth spells much easier. Still—his words managed to stir the crowd enough.
“[Grand Magus] Mondoug himself will handle the final cleansing, but we will need your aid in laying the foundation! Tomorrow at dawn, we shall begin with an assault on the island, and grab a foothold there!”
Faces full of anticipation lit up, and Cadeau felt his soul-stirring. This was why he loved his job, even if he was a mere assistant for now. Just seeing how much power a single name could hold over people… it was tantalizing. One day.
“Naturally, danger abounds, but have no fear! We have [Doctors] on hand, ready to treat any who fall ill!”
Reassuring as those words were, they weren’t quite as true as they seemed. The [Doctors] who they had managed to gather were hardly high-level enough to actually treat a magical illness, and fewer still would agree to come in close contact with a patient carrying one. Most would work strictly with after-care—if a patient managed to fight off the initial symptoms by themselves.
Still, as he watched his words sink in, he saw relief on many faces—except…
His eyes once more went to that one group, of women in dresses. They did not seem reassured but rather had eyes that simmered with doubt, deepening as they listened to the one dressed in black say something.
What’s that about?
Cadeau focused back on the moment, then ended his speech with a few more pretty words and began walking back down the steps, toward the inn where his room was booked. As he looked at the dispersing hunters, he couldn’t help wondering how many would make it alive in the end.
There was a reason soldiers and guards were not being used as the primary force for this. True, they would fare worse against inhuman foes than hunters, but more importantly, training new ones was expensive, and losing any would be costly.
Hunters, meanwhile, tended to spring forth on their own, chasing dreams of glory and wealth. Rather handy for situations such as these.
They would be well paid of course, but still, he felt grateful for the amulet around his neck.
Sacrifices are fine, as long as they fall to others.
A/N And a second chapter! This one was a bit shorter, but that only gets things moving faster. I think we've passed 200k words for the story now, with 120k of that after the hiatus. Hurray! We have reached 150% more [Maid]!
I've felt so sleepy the past week, but finally managed 5 hours of sprints today. I might need to go out more or something. But I've been reading, trying to gain wisdom.
