‘Break here to transport to safety’ was written on the slate and Leo immediately guessed what this thing was.

Since he wasn’t the smartest cookie in the jar and had no noteworthy talents in anything requiring heavy mental exercise, back in the Oceandesert mortal realm George Cilin and Fan Lia didn’t attempt to teach him runemaster’s craft at all. But spending so much time together inevitably led to learning some things nevertheless, for example, the fact that the teleportation platforms were not the only means of instant transportation.

Indeed, while large platforms crafted by an expert runemaster were needed to travel between immortal and mortal realms, a shorter distance instant travel could be achieved by using smaller items, also crafted in a special way. What Leo currently was looking at was such item and even though most of it was covered in runic markings, below were written clear instructions on how to use it.

“What does it say?” Empress asked holding back the urge to smack the male-slave on the back of his head. Clearly the boy recognized something and him not immediately responding annoyed her.

Leo also realized his reaction has probably been too conspicuous therefore had to make something up on the spot. Since the empress didn’t know what this thing was, obviously he was not going to educate her – he was pretty certain he’ll need it in the future.

“These are divine runic markings!” Leo finally said trying to fake ecstasy, “These are the symbols the Gods use on their magic items!”

“That is correct.” Madam Vesta stepped over and said, “But on the bottom? What’s written on the bottom? Didn’t the God give you a book in the divine language? You should be able to read it!”

“No, no.” Leo resolutely shook his head, “Those are not words. Those look like words, but aren’t. All of those things are runic markings. They are very strange and peculiar, but allow to create great wonders … like floating islands … or small amazing things like a box or a jewelry piece that could fit in a whole room full of items.”

Hearing the first part of Leo’s explanation the present Vidas family members, especially the empress, began to grow angry, but when he mentioned the jewelry their expressions changed once again.

“Alright, it’s enough for now.” Empress suddenly said, “Dalina, bring him away. I want all of you to gather after the sunset, but for now, everyone is dismissed!”

“What do you think?” Empress asked after the rest from the Council of Devotees left.

She and old madam Vesta were standing at the far side of the underground hall, near the altar. Leo didn’t notice it, but on it, lying on a red piece of cloth was a simple iron crown. Both women stared at the crown with complex expressions already for some time when the empress finally broke the silence.

“It seems like the male-slave isn’t telling us everything even though we’ve drugged him. There is a chance he was telling the truth, but it also might have something to do with the almighty God putting some kind of restrictions on him and the kid has no control over his free will.” Madam Vesta said, “Be as it may, he’s a simpleton and not good at hiding emotions. I think we need someone to spend a lot of time with him, gain his trust and he’ll unwillingly spill everything involuntarily or we’ll just get clearer understanding by observing him.”

“So you also acknowledge the fact that he has met a God or even two?” The empress asked.

“Without a doubt.” The old madam nodded, “Although I don’t understand why a God would take fancy of someone like him, but who are we to judge the Gods, right? The problem is – for a period of time we’ll have to change our research methods and it really annoys me. I’d rather sit here day and night, trying to figure out the answers from a thin air rather than spend time hanging around a lowly male-slave.”

“You know, yesterday I would’ve agreed to that.” Empress said with a sigh, “But any step, even a humiliating one, that brings us closer to the answers we sought for centuries is worth to take.”

“Sigh, Angele, my girl …” Madam Vesta said and patted the empress’s shoulder, “That is why you’re the one sitting on the throne.”

Empress ignored the last part and said, “Alright. What do you think is our best approach? Besides making him spill the beans I want to go to the eastern mountain range. If I take the brat along, there is a chance the God might appear … if he’s carrying the weapon, of course.”

“That is if his story is true.” Madam Vesta said.

“It’s not like we’re loosing out on anything, do we? What other progress can we make?” Empress asked.

“Clearly you want to leave the capital, but the Southern queen might try to use your absence.” Old madam said, “Even though we know when, with whom and how she plans to attack, I don’t want to experience any surprises.”

“Hmmm.” Empress fell in thought and stood there for a moment, holding her chin, “Firstly, nothing major will happen during the upcoming year. And secondly, we need to investigate the disappearance of the ‘cookbook’. If the things went as the male-slave described, most likely the Southern queen is in the possession of it. In that case it might be worthwhile to strike Livania kingdom first …”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Sigh … Angele, Angele … you’ve really grown up!” Madam Vesta proudly looked at her, “Now you’re talking like a real empress! Your mother would’ve been proud.”

“What? Did I act like a gardener or something until now?” Empress pretended to become annoyed, “Let’s go! We need to make a plan we can present to the Council …”

Leo didn’t know that over sixteen centuries ago when the Golden Hand society first arrived to Dreadlands in order to create a teleportation platform and connect it to the other realms, its members were met by the Vidas family ancestors. At the time they were leading a small tribe residing in woods not far from the eastern mountain range and upon the encounter showed warm hospitality despite being scared to death by the flying Nascent soul stage cultivators.

While working on the teleportation platform, purely on a whim one of the runemasters crafted a simple crown and turned it into a spacial treasure while another made similarly practical lifesaving item – a teleportation slate. The two items were gifted to the leader of the tribe along with wishes to rule over the world and always stay safe, but unfortunately or maybe fortunately the tribe leader didn’t realize the cultivators were only having fun and two centuries later Vidas family actually conquered the whole continent ‘under the orders from the Gods’ thus establishing the empire.

Since there was a lack of Qi in the environment, cultivators almost never came to visit Dreadlands and with time passing by the arrival of the ‘Gods’ would’ve turned to a legend or a fairy tale if not for the two items the runemasters left behind. And while on the current day no one had a clue what the stone slate was, empresses of every generation used the crown and passed on the method of its use to their heirs. Thus the crown served as an indisputable evidence of existence of the Gods.

Later, driven by curiosity, one of empresses began to methodically search for the origins of the crown and as a result the Council of Devotees was created. It became a secret organization of a peculiar goal with only trusted members of the Vidas family being a part of it and in this form it still functioned to this day. Inevitably with time the Council began to work on other matters as well, but the main goal always remained the same.

While Leo soundly slept, members of the Council decided to support the empress’s idea to try to ‘fish’ for the Gods, bringing along the young male-slave as a bait. He would carry the weapon, indicating he had already completed the God’s task with the support of the Vidas family, thus technically the current empress would’ve done a favor to them. Of course, no one expected any rewards – the main idea was that it only could slightly increase the chance to meet the deity.

While Leo would carry the weapon, the empress would be a part of the procession and wear the iron crown, similarly showing an eternal devotion to the God who presented it to the Vidas family. Meanwhile the mysterious stone slate should remain in the capital to take care of its safety according to the ‘teachings of the ancestors’.

Regarding the missing ‘cookbook’ it was decided that the empire’s spies in Livania kingdom would do a thorough investigation first, but regardless of results the empire will strike its capital Pananga in a year, right before Livania with joined forces of Reiland, Eithum and Ledia kingdoms intended to arrive at the empire’s doorstep.

Unfortunately the expedition had to wait until the spring session of the Assembly of warlords was over although the time would not be wasted. Since the weak male-slave was supposed to carry the incredibly heavy weapon by himself, the empress suggested to appoint one of the palace’s experts as the boy’s personal trainer. Obviously no one in their right mind would teach a male-slave any combat techniques – the training was supposed to be purely physical.

Of course, personally training a slave was humiliating, but it was a task that had to be carried out for the cause. In addition, the trainer would stealthily observe Leo’s cooking techniques and afterwards compile them, providing the Vidas family with another piece of heritage in case they couldn’t recover the ‘divine cookbook’.

The next morning Leo woke up with a slightly dry mouth as a clear reminder of yesterday’s events. He snickered to himself at the bunch of the weird imperial women and intended to go back to the kitchen to have a breakfast and start making plans involving him getting to the stone slate alone, when Dalina arrived at his door.

After spending every day for the past year with a bunch of ladies Leo was somewhat capable of reading them thus he immediately noticed she was not in a good mood therefore only politely greeted her and awaited orders without giving a reason for her to snap at him.

Dalina looked at the boy up and down as if trying to figure out what to do, but in the end only sighed and said, “Come!”

At first Leo felt unease, but when they arrived at small training grounds that obviously were used by some local big shot, Dalina sternly said, “Since the Goddess has tasked you to carry the heavy weapon, it is your duty to fulfill her wish. Unfortunately for now you’re way too weak, thus it was decided that from this day on you’ll practice here, under my supervision. But don’t think you suddenly became someone special – you’ll have to prepare your own food, wash after yourself and … know your place! I’ll make you work so hard you wish you never met me! What are you staring at? Go! Fifty laps around the training grounds to warm up!”

Seeing the male-slave’s stupefied expression she finally felt better. Dalina knew it made sense for her to babysit the boy since she was the youngest council member, but at the same time wouldn’t a grandma do a better job? Of course, they already had some kind of a previous connection that would allow him to open up more comfortably, but her common sense screamed against this humiliating task.

Leo, on the other hand, found the whole situation beyond hilarious. Not only he was not executed for working with rebels, the empire was about to train him so he could actually carry the Cleaver’s full weight. Now all that was left was to get the weapon and then somehow sneak under the small house and break the stone slate.

For now he had no clue how to accomplish any of that, but since he was about to spend a lot of time here, Leo was certain the chance would come sooner or later.

There was one problem though. When Dalina’s guards brought over the Cleaver for actual practical training, to his horror Leo realized it had doubled its weight once again. From her stingy explanations he gathered that during more detailed inspection the ‘imperial experts’ discovered another runic formation on the Cleaver’s handle and after removing it, it became so heavy the table it lied on broke. Even though the story sounded somewhat hilarious, Leo couldn’t even force out a sad smile – the sole idea for the training was for him to carry the monstrous thing alone.

Dalina was caught by surprise seeing how diligently Leo continued to train and with days going by slowly softened up to him. Of course, it didn’t mean they were about to become friends since in her eyes despite being chosen by a God he would always remain a male-slave. Even though she was teaching him, she remained cold and distant and preferred to talk to her bodyguards rather than with her student.

Leo wasn’t bothered by her lofty attitude. He knew she was some kind of a princess and thus being a bit haughty was forgivable. She seemed like a good person though, therefore he gladly cooked for her and explained the principles behind a proper preparation of food. He was slightly surprised by her curiosity in this matter since she was the first woman in Dreadlands who showed any interest in the cooking process rather being only interested in the result, but there was no reason to think too much of it. Jamie wrote the book to spread his knowledge through the world and Leo was glad to assist in this matter.