Orrin returned with Madi to the rest of the group. The small grove of trees was calming to him. The moon shed enough light that they could see each other while keeping the rest of the forest dark. He would have to go to the edge of the trees to watch the Odranan border, if not for his [Map] skill.

Madi gave Finley a thumbs-up, signaling for him to explain the plan as they approached.

“My father has given me proxy rights for his chancellor vote,” Finley started, pulling a fine silver chain out from under his shirt. On the end of the chain hung a heavy gold ring. “It’s not the first time that I’ve had to vote in his place. Veskar raids happen even during pre-scheduled chancellor votes.”

He smiled at his joke and rolled his eyes when nobody else appreciated his joke. He continued. “Currently, Lord Sanerris is chancellor of Mistlight. He holds the power to rule the city and its immediate surroundings, as well as control of direct trade between the rest of the territories. A quorum of three chancellors is needed to call a vote to replace another chancellor. If Maeve can bring her father and Lady Tonsa shows up, we’ll be able to start the voting process with this.”

Orrin studied the ring Finley held into the air. The top of the ring was flat, with an insignia of five small rubies arranged in a circle. Finley dropped the ring back under his shirt.

“The three of us won’t be able to name a new chancellor for Mistlight behind his back. That requires an in-person vote of all the chancellors. When Lady Sanerris was removed from her position, she was forced to give her ring to her son. Lord Palmer objected but Lady Sanerris accepted the transfer of power without violence.”

“What’s to stop Lord Stopwatch from ignoring you and staying in power?” Daniel asked.

“Without a rightful claim, he has no power to vote or make demands of any other territory. I’ll recall every Ronden soldier and suggest the Tonsa family and Wellans do the same. Lord Palmer has scouts and supplies but no standing forces. Mistlight supplies mages and trade goods but without the gold from Goldenhall, the food from Ceraun, and the leadership from my family… the war with the elves will be over.”

Orrin smiled at that, checking the Quest.

Stop the War in Odrana

Reward: 200,000 XP and Variable

Failure: Loss of 10 levels.

They’d shared the Quest with a lot of people, including the elves. There was going to be a huge increase in levels coming their way, just in time for the demon invasion. Orrin salivated thinking of how close he was to level twenty. Doing the math in his head, he tallied up the increased experience threshold for each level.

If the pattern stays the same for each level… adding a thousand to the last experience goal… I should gain ten levels plus a little left over. That’s insane! I’ll skip the entirety of the twenties.

“This plan won’t stop Lady Sanerris from trying to take over or Lord Sanerris from attacking you as soon as he finds out he’s not in power,” Madi continued the explanation. “This is where Orrin is going to have to be convincing. After the three chancellors officially vote him out, they have to vote her in.”

Orrin didn’t like the sound of that. “That’s exactly what Anabella wants.”

“Three votes cast will activate the rings. They’re linked with magic and the gems glow when a vote is cast. It’s the way they signal each other that they need to meet for an important issue,” Finley continued to explain. “You’ll need to convince Lady Tonsa to put Lady Sanerris back in charge.”

“Lady Tonsa voted her out last time,” Orrin said, not liking how everyone was ignoring him. “Anabella will want revenge and she’ll know that. How am I supposed to get her to do it?”

“Once the vote is cast to remove Lord Sanerris, the chancellors will meet to discuss his replacement. He gets a vote on his replacement.” Finley reached out and put a hand on Orrin’s shoulder. “Palmer will vote for Lady Sanerris and so will Arvin when he sees the way things are going. He’ll want to keep the power in the family so he can try taking over again later. Once they’ve cast their votes, I’ll bring up that Lady Sanerris tried to kill me and Maeve. Lord Wellan or Lady Tonsa will refuse to vote and demand Lady Sanerris be brought to answer for her crimes.”

Madi was practically bouncing on her heels. “When she arrives, Daniel crashes in from his hiding place and announces that the [Demon Lord] has arrived in the Pass, requesting forces from Odrana despite Lord Sanerris’s attempt to capture or kill him. In tow is his party member, Orrin, who points out Lady Sanerris’s plots as well. It should bring their squabbling to a head. If they don’t outright fight, it should be enough for even Palmer to see how crazy they’ve both become.”

Finley nodded along. “This is the part you have to get Rhys’s mom to agree to. She needs to step in and demand satisfaction from the Sanerris family. They’ll both be busy slinging accusations at each other and if she times it right, she can force a four-member vote to replace the Sanerris family outright. Palmer is an opportunist at heart.”

“That’s the plan,” Madi finished. “Any questions?”

“When this all goes to shit, do we kill Arvin and Annabella?” Daniel asked, cracking his knuckles.

“Killing the leader of our country should be the last resort,” Finley said slowly. “I’d rather we imprison them and try them for their crimes through proper judicial avenues.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“They won’t just… let their family’s power go,” Orrin pointed out.

Finley smiled. “If they attack the other chancellors or even the [Hero], they might find themselves outmatched. Lord Sanerris is strong but he’s not invincible. The same goes for his mother.”

Daniel and Finley talked a bit more about the logistics of a possible fight, while Brandt and Madi whispered.

“Madi, when you get back, will you check something for me?” Orrin stepped in and interrupted her now that the main part of the plan had been explained. He pulled the ball of glass that he’d stolen from Wren’s office from his storage. “Have you seen these before?”

Madi caught the glass globe and held it gingerly. “A spell glass. I haven’t seen one in years. People can store their spells inside for later use or to sell. My father keeps people on staff or retainer for spells we need regularly, so we rarely need them. What does this one do?”

Orrin smiled. His hunch had been correct. “It creates a sound barrier for private discussions. I’m pretty sure that Graem… a professor at the Sanerris school cast those for his sister. How much would it cost to make these and are there any restrictions on the spells?”

Madi handed the ball back to Orrin, who swiftly made it disappear. “I’m not sure on either count. I can look into it when I return… if you still want me to go back. Lady Tonsa might argue against—”

Orrin waved his hand. “We agreed. You’re going back home to Dey.”

Orrin noticed Brandt smile and nod at him.

“Fine. I have nothing more to contribute then. Finley knows the plan and will be best suited to figure out any small changes in the moment. Do you need to prepare or anything?”

“I’m ready now if you are?”

Madi peered over her shoulder at Brandt.

“I trust in you,” he whispered softly.

She stood straighter and took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”

Orrin shook his head and brought up Assign Class, selecting Madi as the target.

Choose Class:

He scrolled until he found the superior version of Madi’s current class. “This is your last chance. I can change your class back, but once you’ve switched I can’t give you back your lost levels.”

“Don’t back out on me now,” Madi said through gritted teeth. “Do it.”

Replace [Prism Conjurer] with [Superior Prism Conjurer]?

Yes or No?

“Good luck,” Orrin said, accepting the cost of another Administrator Point. “It’s done.”

Madi stumbled and Orrin rushed to her but Brandt was quicker. His knee hit the ground as he caught her and helped her to her feet.

“I feel weaker,” Madi murmured as her eyes glazed over in the universal sign that she was reading her own blue screen. “All my stat are back to where they were when I first earned my class. Except… yes. I think I was able to keep those bonus points from the dungeon we destroyed and the Quests completed.”

Orrin filed that knowledge away as he turned to Tem, standing off to the side of the main group. “Can you get them both to Silas’s house?”

“Yes, sir. I have a location nearby on standby. I live in the city,” the man spoke quickly, nearly tripping over his words. “Would you like me to return here and wait for you after I bring Lady Catanzano home?”

“Nah, rest up. I’m sure Madi will need your help soon enough,” Orrin said, pausing at a thought. “How far into the Pass have you gone?”

“I’ve never been that far west. I’ve only traveled in Dey and Odrana before I was hired for this job.”

Orrin said a few words to Brandt, as Madi was still excitedly reading some class changes.

“It’ll be dangerous for them. It’s not a combat heavy class, usually,” Brandt countered Orrin’s idea.

“Tell Silas. Maybe he can arrange protection during transport.”

“What are you talking about?” Daniel asked, coming back from talking with Finley.

“I asked Brandt to get as many people with [Teleport] to explore the Pass,” Orrin answered. “If we survive this, it might help if we have a few people who can move a bunch of troops around quickly from Dey to the front and back again.”

Tem paled a little. “You want me to go into the Pass?”

“You’ll be fine. You’re a higher level than we were when Daniel tried to fight some demons in the Pass. We survived,” Orrin tried to convince the level thirty-two [Mapmaker], who looked more and more like he was going to puke. “Only if they volunteer, Brandt. We don’t want people who will run. It’ll be a huge tactical advantage against the demons and might save lives.”

Orrin watched as Madi and Brandt went through a round of goodbyes. Daniel gave a concerned look at Madi’s weakened state, but she whispered what happened in his ear and he gave her a high five. With a final hug from Madi to Orrin, they circled up with Tem.

“Come back safe,” Brandt commanded before the three of them disappeared.

The elf, Reyhana, placed a hand on Daniel’s shoulder. She had snuck up behind him.

“If you’re not going to come with us, can you tell Arandir the plan? He might be able to get the elves ready for the demons.”

She nodded and turned to leave but paused. “Be safe,” she whispered without looking at Daniel, before leaving the forest at a run.

“That’s the first time I’ve heard her speak,” Daniel said with a smile.

Daniel Has Invited You to a Party

Yes or No?

“Finally, we’re back together,” Orrin said as he nudged Daniel with his hip. “Batman and Robin.”

“You’re Robin,” Daniel answered with a smirk. He lowered his voice. “Should I invite Finley, too? Does he know about your buffs?”

“Invite him,” Orrin said as he began casting [Ward] on the trio. “I trust him enough to let him see some spells.”

Five minutes later, Finley stared into empty space with an open mouth. “You… you…”

“I’m awesome. I know. I could totally have kicked your ass in Battle Class, but I’m a benevolent person.”

Daniel laughed. “No, you’re not. You probably just had a plan to keep hidden and then act like you’d grown in strength or something.”

Orrin turned red at how close to the truth Daniel’s guess hit.

Finley turned. “How much longer do we have before we need to meet with Maeve?”

“Probably ten minutes or so but I can [Teleport] us there directly,” Orrin answered. “I think it might be best to land a little ways out and walk in though. Just in case.”

Finley’s smile turned evil. “Want to fight before we go?”

Orrin slapped himself in the face. “No. We are literally trying to save the world. We do not have time for… Damn it, Daniel. I said no.”

But he was too late. Finley and Daniel were moving quickly enough that Orrin could only catch glimpses of their bodies hitting each other before they bounced away.

Finley slid on his heels to a stop a few feet from Orrin with a large grin still etched on his face. “This [Hero] is great.”

He had two daggers out and rushed Daniel again. Gertrude, Daniel’s sword, pointed down at Fin’s feet. Daniel swung with a speed that Orrin had yet to achieve with his own summoned swords but Finley stepped on the flat of the blade, running along the length sideways before tackling Daniel.

The dust settled with Gertrude against Finley’s neck but one of the daggers pressed against Daniel’s belly.

“Are you two done? We might be heading into a huge fight with two of the strongest mages I’ve ever seen and you…” Orrin sighed and rubbed his eyes. “ I swear, I might kill you two myself.”