- Day 9 -

Dinner Party - Part 1

"We're back!"

"Welcome back."

Bella calls out to us from the dining room. Everyone looks to be sat around the table talking to each other.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"Yeah. The wine should be delivered before we get there and I found this book for the General which should go down well."

"Then I'll go arrange the carriage Master."

Oh? Hannah spoke to me? With a smile too?!

"Thank you, Hannah. While we wait, Bella, can I borrow you for a second"

I lead Bella out into the backyard so the others can't hear us.

"Can you start basic training with Emily tomorrow?"

"I can... If I'm honest, I don't think the girls a fighter though."

"I think she just needs some confidence in herself. Be harsh, strict and unrelenting with her; we have tonics after all."

"And if she breaks?"

"Then I'll concede, but I think she'll rise to it."

"*sigh* It's your call, I'll start tomorrow then. Oh, while we're here, Risk will be taking over the sparring section of your training from tomorrow."

"Huh, why?"

"Your fighting style matches his better than mine; technical and methodical. I can't break your technique without breaking you, so Risk is going to take over. I'll still be teaching you in the mornings so fret not."

"Well, they say two teachers are better than one."

"Who does?"

"...Nevermind"

We head back inside as Hannah is calling for everyone at the front door and we all depart for the Armstrong Manor. As expected, there are too many of us for one carriage, so we take 2. Risk, Kate, Emily and myself in this one and Hannah, Millie and Bella in the other. We arrive at the Manor to see Katharine standing outside. It looks like she's been waiting on us, I hope not for too long as it's rather cold out tonight.

It seems she's decided to get dressed up for the occasion and is wearing a flowing yellow dress with light dragon pattern lace frills flowing over the shoulders. The long yellow gloves and hairstyle make her look not unlike a certain fairytale princess that falls for a beast.

*trip*

Smooth Aburi, nicely done. Well, at least she finds it funny.

"Evening Katharine. May I say you look stunningly beautiful. Dangerously so, I nearly fell over, captivated by it!"

"T-thank you for saying so even if you're just being polite."

"I'm quite serious Katharine"

She goes a shade pinker

...

*COUGH*

Subtle Bella...but thanks.

"Apologies! Um, shall we go inside? Father is waiting to meet you all."

We follow Katharine's lead into the Manor I notice a large number of guests are already here. I was under the assumption that this was a small gathering of us and the Duke. Clearly, I very was wrong..and here I thought that Katharine got dressed up for us but this makes more sense.

We continue through the manor to the back room, by which point I feel entirely unsuitably dressed for this occasion. I'm sure the others feel the same as they've all been walking in complete silence.

We stop in a section of the manor I hadn't seen until now. It's unlike the over rooms I had been in. The walls are carved grey-black marble with dark vivid red-stained polished wood floors. There are several cream sofas arranged around a roaring centre-walled fireplace. There are various statues and pictures around the room decorating the space. This is most assuredly a meeting room for private conversations. Duke Rayford and General Armstrong are talking with another two people I don't recognise seated on the sofas, and they stand as they notice us enter.

"Father,"

"Ah, Aburi Draconis and friends. Welcome, welcome! Please come in."

"General Armstong--"

"I think we're past formalities at this point Aburi. Saving two thirds of one's family tree grants you that right. Alex, if you please."

Why is it always so grandiose with this guy.

"T-then Alex, I was in the city today and found this at a merchants stall. I think it will make a fine addition to the collection I noticed in your study the other day."

I hand him the book. He looks at it puzzled, then in disbelief before frantically opening it and skimming a few pages.

"Aburi, do you know what this is?"

"Helon - Battle of Gods. A first edition I believe, one of only three known copies."

"That's.. correct. Are you certain you want to just give this to me?"

"Yes. A token of my thanks for the kindness you and your family have shown me since arriving in the Capital."

"But this is too much--"

"To quote another. I will hear no discussions about it either."

"Haha. Well-played! Then, then I'll accept it! With great pride and my thanks."

I bow slightly with my hand on my stomach. I'm only playing at etiquette from what I've seen on TV, but it seems I'm close enough that one no is mentioning it.

"Aburi, I believe you already know Duke Graham Rayford so let me introduce Sir William Trove and Baron David Lyen."

"Pleasure, please, William is fine."

"Likewise, David if you will."

"Pleasures all mine. Please call me Aburi. This is Risk, Bella, Emily, Hannah, Millie and Kate"

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They bow or curtsy on their names. Bella just waves, but that was to be expected.

"Pleasure" "Hello" "Wonderful to meet you all finally."

"Aburi, do you mind if we borrow you from your friends for a while?"

Graham asks. He must have something private to discuss again.

"Certain--"

"Katharine, take the others upstairs, we'll be along shortly."

Upstairs?

"Of course Father."

No sooner does Katharine close the door to the room behind her does Graham start casting.

“[Ez factor Romanus silus]”

A sound barrier again. Damn, I forgot about it, I should have put a point in Wind Magic before coming here just in case a chance to learn it came up; next time I guess.

Everyone sits, and Graham gestures for me to do the same. The conversation immediately comes on thick and fast between Graham and Alex.

"Good, we can speak without concern for prying bloody ears!"

*SLAP*

Alexander slams his palm down on the armrest of the leather sofa. I haven't seen this side of Alex, but it doesn't really surprise me after hanging around Katharine.

"Indeed. Are you certain it was Victor?"

"Who bloody else knew the exact route we were taking to Amaki!"

"Then it confirms my fears. He really is trying to collapse the country from the inside out..."

"When I find that rat bastard, I'll tear his treacherous throat out with my bare fucking hands!"

David jumps in

"So it's true, he's left the city?"

"Yes, but even worse. He took the remaining magic stone supplies with him"

"Clever guy. Now he just has to sit back and wait.."

Graham shakes his head at William's comment.

"I'm glad you can still admire his strategy William, but this affects you too."

"Indeed, but you have to admit, it's a sound strategy. Why assault a city when you can watch it burn."

My turn I guess.

"I assume this means my timetable has to be accelerated?"

The others look confused by my statement.

"Timetable?"

"Sorry Aburi, I hadn't yet told the others about our chat the other day. Allow me to correct that now."

All three look on with intrigue as Graham explains.

"Haha! Why does that not surprise me, if it were anyone else, I would doubt it possible...but I wouldn't bet against you!"

"If Alexander believes it possible then it must be..."

Thanks for the vote of confidence David. William looks to be remaining silent for now, however...

"I assure you all, Aburi's Alchemy skill is far beyond even our neighbouring Kingdoms capabilities."

"I can speak to that, having been brought back from the brink by it just yesterday. I also heard he took down a Beth Ogre with his bare hands!"

...it was with magic actually.. Wait? How the hell do you know that?

"...Thank you for the confidence in my abilities but.. How much time do I now have?"

Graham sighs for a moment before speaking.

"Less than three weeks"

Ha...wait, he's serious? That's impossible. I can't think of a single way of getting strong enough in that little time based on what I know about Aslogia from Katharine...

"I-I'm sorry Graham...I see no way to achieve this in that amount of time..."

William speaks finally.

"Aburi, tell me, theoretically of course, what would you need to make it happen."

"Besides a miracle or more time?--"

David laughs abruptly.

"...I guess instant access to be able to fight numerous monsters to train a party against without trekking out into the forests. A massive support team capable of protecting themselves in a secondary camp away from the forward one. Raw components, ore, herbs and so forth in the thousands and access to as many trainers as humanly possible... I'd also need to lock myself away making potions for said troops. There's probably, even more, I haven't thought of yet, but I only started planning this yesterday. No matter how I look at it, there just isn't enough time."

The four just sit there pondering before William speaks again.

"Then I'll just say it. The Rayford Family Catacombs Graham--"

"Are you insane? That was sealed and for good reason! We open it up, and an invasion from outside the walls will be irrelevant!"

"It's the only way to get Aburi access to what he needs. Plus it may very well also yield enough stones to buy him the additional time he needs to prepare properly"

"Bloody hell William..."

"Alex, I know you lost over 200 men sealing it the first time but give us an alternative. It's the only way, and you all know it."

Guess I'll jump back in.

"Apologies but--"

"My Apologies Aburi, let me explain. The Rayford Family Catacombs are where my ancestors are buried. About five years ago now, monsters breached the Catacomb walls and infested the area. As the Catacombs are inside the city walls, the city defences were useless against them. We were slow to act, so the infestation grew until monsters were pouring out into the city. Needless to say it but it was a bloodbath with many, many people losing their lives. When it was decided we couldn't purify it, the King ordered them forever sealed."

"I see, it would certainly provide me with a hunting ground in which to train...who sealed it in the end?"

Graham pauses for a moment and looks lost in thought before Alexander jumps in.

"It was the court mage Zero. Why do you ask Aburi?"

Zero huh. If that's the case, I have a feeling he will be able to warp behind a barrier he created himself. I should only need to see him do it once to be able to do the same myself.

"I met Zero today and learnt some of his void magic. If he is capable of warping behind his own barrier, he should be able to show me how to do it; and with that, it can remain sealed."

The four look at me with a blank stare as if not comprehending my words before Graham stands.

"Then I will go and bring Zero here now so we can formulate this further."

The others seem to nod, and Graham heads off. The barrier appears to remain though. What a versatile spell...

William directs a question to me.

"Can you tell me how many people do you currently have sourced for this?"

"Four or five including myself on the main force. One on the support force. I need another 2 for the main force; a scout and a support mage--"

"You plan to subdue Aslogia with only seven men!?"

"Yes?"

Even Alexander looks shocked by this.

"Surely you jest Aburi?"

"I do not. The mistake you all have made time and time again is in thinking that sheer numbers are the solution to this problem. Simply put, more men require larger logistical support, which in turn means the force is slow to adapt and easy to panic when something goes wrong in the command structure. A small independent unit with a large support force is what you need."

"You can't be serious? A small force will easily be overrun!"

"Only if the enemy can pin us down. A small force has manoeuvrability that a large force does not"

William, David and Alexander are all shaking their heads in disbelief. I can understand William and David, but Alexander is a renowned military commander. How can he not have realised this yet?

"Let me be clear gentlemen. My goal is not killing the monsters to gather magic stones. It's to find the enemies General and take its head!"

This statement looks to have put Alexander deep in thought. He seems to be wondering why he never considered this action before. Similarly, David and William look shocked by the idea.

This should be obvious from the story Katharine told me, how else could a normal dungeon suddenly become organised and enraged towards a single goal? Simple, something moved in and forced cooperation between the various types of monsters to force out the humans. Find and kill it, the dungeon returns to its prior state.

"Have you honestly never considered a shock troop solution before?"

"Shock troop? ..Explain"

"A small unit, or numerous small units whose sole purpose is getting behind enemy lines so to attack the more vulnerable rear units or command structure--"

"It could work Alex."

Oh my...warfare in this world must be very basic and naive. William speaks up.

"Your team will likely get cut off from the support team rather quickly once you're deep enough in--"

"That's where Zero's void magic comes into play. I learnt [Warp] from him yesterday and if I can adapt it for mass use. I can quickly evacuate as necessary for resupply or retreat. Another option is to move the supply team closer as needed.. The real problem is the enemy's General. The closer I get to it while using this method for resupply, the more likely it is to go looking for the resupply base with its forces. The support camp must be able to hold it's position for this to work."

"Ha. This smells like a plan William."

"It certainly looks plausible David, but Aburi, tell me about the forward team's composition."

"Two Rearguard. Two vanguards. One forward scout. One centre support mage. one centre marksmen."

"...I see. You seem to have a completed plan--"

"It may sound so, but it's not even close. Yes, I have a plan of attack, but that's only a part of what's required to initiate it. Not to mention I have no way of preparing a support camp within the allotted time--"

Alexander bellows in.

"Then leave the support camp to us. I will ensure it's properly defended and we will hold it with our lives."

"I will see to the supplies. Weapons, Armour, Ore, food, herbs; just get me a list."

"Then I'll source the tradesmen for the support camp. Being the head of the craftsmen guild, I can assure you the best will be at your disposal."

"I still need a support mage and a rear guard. With more time, I would have liked to source these myself"

*Zip*

"I have ties with the Circle Mages, and I already have an idea for your scout--"

Graham and Zero appear near the back of the room. How does he know what's going on? ...It must be the sound barrier; he must be able to continue to hear what's being said inside of it, even when not inside it himself. Fascinating.

"Aburi, your attention!"

*ZZip*

[- Transient Warp Acquired -]

*ZZup*

[- Mass Warp Acquired -]

"[Aru Dia Nicus Foa]"

[- Void Veil Acquired -]

*Zip*

He's gone again. Impatient fellow but I believe he's given me what I needed.

"Zero--!?"

"Don't worry; he's given me what I need."