Chapter 44: Reinforcement 4

Elania strode down the cobblestone path, her boots clicking against the stones with each step. Beside her, Yolani matched her pace, her eyes alight with excitement as she spoke.

“Once you bond the [Regalia], I’ll be able to incorporate miniature versions of the elemental bombs into the ammunition,” Yolani said, gesturing animatedly. “You’ll be able to manage all the [Power] easily, and I can set up different speed loaders for each element. Maybe even a mixed one, so each shot is different? I’ll have to check the resonance frequencies so they don’t excite or amplify the inert shells…”

Elania glanced at her, an eyebrow raised. “The normal bullet, without any enhancement, put a three-foot wide hole twelve feet deep in solid stone,” she muttered dryly.

Yolani looked at her, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. “I know, right? Imagine what it’ll do with the elemental enhancements!”

Elania shook her head. “If I hadn’t shielded the firing range, it might have blasted anyone in the room.” She paused, her eyes narrowing. “And if you hadn’t put the wall back together, we would have had a massive fine.”

Yolani waved a hand dismissively. “But we did put it back together,” she said confidently. “And that just means we need to fly down to the surface and do test firing on a hill or something.”

Elania snorted, a grin spreading across her face. “Yeah, because that’s a great idea. Let’s just go around blasting holes in the countryside.”

Yolani bumped her shoulder against Elania’s. “Come on, it’ll be fun. We can make a day of it, pack a picnic, maybe even bring Shadow along.”

Elania rolled her eyes. “I’m sure the locals will love that. ‘Hey, don’t mind us, we’re just a demi-divine and her oracle out here blowing up the landscape.’”

Yolani laughed. “They’ll get over it. We just have to pick somewhere remote enough.”

Elania shook her head, a chuckle escaping her lips. “You’re incorrigible, you know that?”

A wry smile appeared on Yolani’s face. “You love it.”

Elania shook her head. “I have no idea what the fine is for ‘non-purposed terraforming,’ but somehow, I don’t think it would be cheap.”

Yolani pouted.

Elania rolled her eyes. “You’re probably right, though. It would be worth it for calibration and testing.”

Yolani grinned. “Of course I’m right. When have I ever steered you wrong?”

Elania let out a loud hum. “How about when—”

Yolani drew a breath, bumping her shoulder against Elania’s again. “Okay, okay, don’t answer that.”

Elania’s expression sobered. “I did ask for high-power over rate of fire. I’m hoping it’ll have enough stopping power to deal with... troublesome things.”

Yolani nodded. “That’s the idea. The [Regalia] will focus and compress the [Power], so you can concentrate on fighting instead of amplification. And it can do it effectively, repeatedly, until you need to reload.”

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As they approached the council building, Elania spotted a small crowd gathered outside, a wash of voices filling the air. Elania’s eyes narrowed, scanning the faces in the crowd.

“I recognize some of them,” she said. “They’re crew from the Farwind.”

Yolani glanced at her. “Do you think they’re here for the hearing?”

Elania nodded, her gaze still fixed on the crowd. “Maybe they’re giving testimony.”

The crowd parted as they drew closer, some of the faces turning to look at them. Elania ignored them with a purposeful stride.

Yolani kept pace beside her, her eyes darting between the crowd and the building.

At the entrance, a Silver allowed them to pass without a word. Once inside, they settled into a pair of seats on the witness benches. A man who had been giving testimony moments before was dismissed, and a hush fell over the room as Arlois called Captain Narbor to the stand.

That the proceedings had started before she and Yolani arrived made her feel uneasy.

The captain rose, his steps measured as he made his way to the center of the chamber. Above him, the Four Towers loomed in their boxes, their gazes fixed upon him. Silence stretched, thick and heavy, as all eyes turned to the captain.

The Towers took turns questioning him, their voices echoing through the chamber.

Captain Narbor spoke clearly and concisely, detailing the events that had led up to the battle and the boarding action that followed. As the questioning turned to Elania’s involvement, the captain’s words painted a vivid picture of her decisive role in turning the tide of the fight.

When the captain was dismissed, he strode from the chamber, his head held high.

Arlois leaned forward. “It is clear that Elania’s actions were critical in saving the ship. Granting her the entire prize would be understandable, given the circumstances.”

Ember nodded, her eyes flashing. “Indeed. The owner should be grateful for her intervention rather than attempting to cast aspersions on her conduct.”

Yolani leaned close to Elania. “Why are they talking about you getting the entire ship?” she whispered. “I thought you were only supposed to receive a portion of the officers’ share.”

Elania shook her head, her own bewilderment mirroring Yolani’s. “I don’t know,” she murmured, her gaze fixed on the Towers above.

Elysia’s voice cut through the chamber. “Granting a non-crewmember the prize bounty is out of order and does not follow the precedent of law.”

Lyra stood, her gaze fierce. “As the owner of the ship, I can’t stand idly while the legitimate officers and crew lose their portion because a foreign demi-divine demanded them.”

Lyra was the Farwind’s owner?

The argument between the other demi-divine only became more heated.

Yolani squeezed her arm. “This isn’t right,” she murmured. “You saved the ship. They should be grateful.”

Elania shook her head. “I think Lyra has other motives.”

A gavel bang silenced the room, and all eyes turned to Arlois. “We will vote,” she declared. “All in favor of upholding prior precedent and denying Elania’s claim?”

Elysia and Lyra raised their hands, their faces set in determination.

“And all in favor of granting Elania a share of the prize?”

Ember and Arlois raised their hands.

“A tie,” Arlois announced, her gaze sweeping the room. “Does anyone expect to be persuaded by further arguments or testimony from the witnesses, or possibly Elania herself?”

Silence stretched, heavy and oppressive.

“Then the matter will be settled via trial by combat,” Arlois declared, her words falling like a hammer blow.

Elania’s breath caught in her throat. Beside her, Yolani’s grip tightened, her fingers digging into Elania’s arm.

“The law is clear,” Arlois continued, her gaze fixed on Elysia and Lyra. “One of you is required to fight or declare a champion.”

Lyra stood, a violent gleam in her eye. “I will fight.”

Arlois nodded, then turned to Ember. “Will you fight?”

Ember shook her head.

“I decline as well,” Arlois said, her gaze shifting to Elania.

Lyra’s predatory grin sent a chill down Elania’s spine, and she felt Yolani’s grip tighten even further.

“Elania,” Arlois called. “Will you or your champion defend the position? Otherwise, the chamber will rule in favor of banning you from receiving any share from the Alistar.”

Elania drew in a deep breath, heart pounding in her chest.

Slowly, she rose to her feet, her gaze locked on Arlois.

“I will defend my position.”