As Gwen reached for a packet of documents, everyone settled down around the coffee table. She hastily flipped through the pages to refresh her memory and organize her thoughts before clearing her throat and resting the material atop her lap.
“Let me preface this by letting you know that this was a significantly difficult investigation,” she began. “As you know, those dwarves are extremely territorial, suspicious, and even racist. Therefore, don’t expect to hear about the inner confidences of the ruling clan. We never share information that isn’t certain to be true. Unless the client specifies that they wish to include our thoughts on the matter too. Which, in this case, I’ll try to add as often as I can.”
“No matter how much, any advantage is of great value to us.” Asterios nodded in understanding.
“Were you the one assigned to this job?” Tina asked with an unreadable expression.
“No. I was here, learning from Guildmaster Suanori.” Gwen chuckled mirthfully. “But, honestly, I’m glad it wasn’t me. Even if logically, my chances of blending in out there were near zero, I would still do my best to complete the mission if Mother gave it to me.”
“Did something happen?” Silvia picked up on the underlying tone.
Lady Luna sighed deeply. “Our agent was compromised. Part of the reason why we haven’t gathered a lot.”
The girls gasped at the news.
“He is back with us now,” her younger daughter added. “The extraction team recovered him and he is already reassigned after recovering. He should be resting until next month, but failure often drives people to do better. Not that anyone blames him for it. We all knew the dangers.”
“Do they know it was us?” Asterios inquired. “That might complicate things going forward.”
“Fear not. Our operatives are meticulously trained for the events of capture. It’s impossible for them to reveal anything regarding their task.” The organization’s leader smiled proudly. “Save for a few individuals at the top, no one knows any names, just that they are working for a clandestine society.”
“There are ways to learn about things without forcing the captive to speak,” he pointed out, glancing at the shadowy form of Tia.
Lady Luna understood and acknowledged what he was getting at.
“Allow me to rephrase that statement.” She met his eyes with a fully confident gaze. “It’s impossible to gather any information about the task from our operatives.”
“That sounds impossible on its own,” Althea commented.
“Memory Wipe pill.” Gwen recaptured their attention, holding a small translucent orb between her fingers. “They also take liquid form that can be hidden inside a fake tooth or wherever else.”
Tina’s eyes turned into saucers. “Gwen… Do you…?”
Meeting her sister’s dreadful gaze, the younger Nobelle nodded gravely.
The Summoner girl shot up. “This is insane! Are you telling me that you are walking around with something that at any moment can turn you into a mindless husk?! That my sister can disappear forever when I’m not around?! How could you, Mom?!”
“Hey! Calm down! It’s okay! Listen!” Gwen did her best to take hold of her freaking-out sister, who was starting to tear up while glaring at their mother.
A pained smile adorned Lady Luna’s lips. “Do you think it’s easy for me, Daughter? But, even so, you have the wrong idea. It doesn’t clean the whole mind. This substance is prepared with the person departing for the job. Usually, a day before they are informed about the mission. When ingested, it erases only the memories gained from that point.”
“That’s why even reading one’s mind won’t work. The agent has no recollection of anything.” Bryn stroked her chin. “The Elf Queen would love to get her hands on something like this, wouldn’t she?”
“Certainly.” Althea let out a quiet chuckle. “It would go in line with the current safety measures of her court.”
Managing to soothe her sister’s outburst, Gwen helped Tina sit back down, affectionately holding onto her hands. “It’s a nasty thing, but you surely see why it’s necessary. The captors won’t have much of a reason to torture or kill the operative when they learn that their memories are simply empty. Mine was blended before arriving in Glimmervale, though it’s more of a memento now and I should have returned it to be utilized.”
Taking a few slow breaths, Tina nodded weakly. “I’m sorry for raising my voice at you…”
“It’s alright, dear. You had all the right to. I’m not proud of having my beloved daughter suffer the effects of this thing, but it ultimately makes her safer.” Her mother reached out to slowly brush through her hair. “One day you might learn how much it pains me. As much as I wish you never would.”
Tina’s cheeks colored a tad as she understood the meaning behind the other woman’s words. Sneaking a peek at Asterios, she gave her mom a quick hug and urged her to return to her seat so they could continue this interrupted report.
“Where did we stop?” Gwen consulted her notes. “Ah, yes. Not that far from the very beginning. But, I know the capture and memory wipe parts can be quite distracting.”
A faint laugh traveled through the chamber.
“The preparations for the upcoming festivities and challenges are at full speed at this very moment. Our little hiccup doesn’t seem to have affected them from what we know and outsiders will still be allowed to visit the city. But, it’s definitely going to be harder than in previous years, and not really because of us.” She released a quiet sigh. “With each iteration, the tension keeps growing. The clans don’t like the current situation. A single family occupying the throne for so long is more than just irritating. We have suspicions that something might happen this year, but we haven’t discovered any signs of a blossoming revolution. Only a bunch of divided cells working on their own.”
“They most likely are too bound by their traditions to break all of them so soon,” Althea shared her thoughts. “It often takes a few generations unless the oppression is truly inhumane.”
“Probably. But their tricks will be more serious so you’ll have to be careful not to get caught in the crossfire.” Gwen shrugged. “And I say crossfire because Rubytongs don’t intend to take hits lying down. Their enforcers are rougher and more brutal. Additionally, they introduced some kind of new mechanized spiritual Golems for their guards. They might have been pressured enough to start revealing some of their cards.”
“It wouldn’t be surprising if they showcased only as much as was necessary during the competitions,” the princess commented. “Now that there’s actual danger, they have to defend their position. And catching spies snooping around further throws their leaders into paranoia.”
“How do those artificial puppets look?” Grea crossed her arms under her chest.
“They take many forms. The streets usually witness the sentries being accompanied by metal animals that resemble a wolf made of plate armor with the gaps glowing purple as something akin to flames fill the interior,” the undercover guildmaster summarized. “There were sightings of person-shaped Golems too, resembling Living Armor. We heard about but haven’t confirmed even bigger designs.”
“Regardless of their shape and size, those Golems are observed to be unimaginably sturdy,” Lady Luna joined in. “They must be covered in engravings and enchantments, and whatever source of energy is used to animate them is powerful enough to disintegrate a whole house when destabilized. Without the means of disabling or restraining them, any encounter could prove fatal.”
“If that was the only problem, it wouldn’t be too bad.” Selene hummed. “But, we need to keep in mind collateral damage and the threat such an explosion poses to the bystanders.”
“Yeah. Asterios and most of us shouldn’t have an issue defeating those Golems, but protecting innocent passersby is a different topic,” Grea said, scratching her head. “Unless they can be thrown through summoning gates like any inanimate object. Then, we just need to prepare a dumping spot for those beasties.”
“I’m afraid we won’t get a chance to test that theory until we end up in a fight with one,” Tina added.
“Anything else?” Asterios glanced at her sister.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“A lot.” Gwen flipped through the documents. “But, I will touch upon only the major parts today. A summary of a kind. If you don’t mind, I’ll fill you all in on every detail over the upcoming days.”
“Thank you.” He grinned at her appreciatively. “Do you have any concepts of how we should approach this entire thing?”
“You are now a ruler, Master.” Miria pouted cutely. “Can’t you just tell them you want to meet their leaders and watch the contest?”
“If it was any other nation, that would be a sensible idea, but Wintercrown dwarves care not for royal formalities unless they can benefit from them,” Lady Luna responded. “On the other hand, coming in with a delegation would bring unnecessary attention to you. From them and everyone else. It’s not like they will happily let you sightsee their most sacred quarters and speak to their elders just like that.”
“Mother is right. It will be much harder that way.” Gwen flashed them an apologetic smile. “We prepared a few options which are still being worked on.”
“Option A, you go in as guests from afar and act like it, moving undercover when unsupervised to gain more intel and infiltrate the main keep in search of whatever you are looking for.” Her mom raised a single finger. “Option B, a similar one, where you go in as guests of common or higher status and try to make friends with some Rubytongs during the festivities in hopes of getting invited to the celebratory feast that they will host in their keep after the Clash of Forges.”
“Option C, you go in as adventurers or craftsmen and get in touch with those known to us to be part of what might be considered the resistance, helping one of those clans win the competition and end up indebted to you,” Gwen showed three fingers after her mother finished at two. “Option D, it doesn’t matter how you arrive, but how much chaos you cause, creating a large-scale diversion that will make infiltrating the keep easier. This is my least favorite plan as it can get out of hand fast, risking the health of innocents.”
“The other concepts are still being researched, but from amongst these, we believe Option C has the highest chances of success,” The Director shared her opinion. “You are able to entice the clans with minerals, materials, and techniques never seen before thanks to your True Dragon heritage. On top of that, you have access to a multitude of dimensions where your many allies reside, like the valkyrja race. Or even the kin of your dark familiar after your return, if I’m not assuming too much?”
Tina giggled amusedly. “I don’t think there’s anyone else in Kraedorion who has a god as their summon.”
The mothers and her sister stared at her in disbelief and confusion.
“With our help, Umbra became the owner and ruler of the Nethernight Realm.” Miria puffed her chest out with pride. “Of course, Abyss is still its original creator, but she is happy to simply observe as always and leave its restoration to his designs. And what Master wants, Umbra will definitely deliver without a word of protest.”
“Are there even limits to how far you can expand your influence?” Lady Luna gaped at him for a few seconds. “I’m starting to think that maybe taking Wintercrown by force isn’t as outlandish as I thought at first. As long as you only give them a good scare, they shouldn’t require much to forgive your sacrilegious demand to take a stroll through their ancestral tunnels while showing up with an army of an intercontinental size.”
“On that note, can’t Master secretly reveal his true nature to Rubytongs and leverage it somehow?” Selene thought openly. “They parlayed with one True Dragon already if our guess is correct, so why not two? Their clansmen have gotten the taste of what they can do with such assistance.”
“But if your assumption turns out to be misplaced, or the other True Dragon is still directly involved with their operations, this plan might have a multitude of unexpected and unwanted consequences,” Gwen chastised her with a serious expression. “Ast’s identity should be kept as the last resolve. After you get into the keep and confront those in the know. And preferably with evidence too.”
“It’s kind of wild that our best plan is to sneak into the country and help the rebels overthrow the local governments, turning the future ruler into our puppet.” Grea snickered devilishly. “Sounds like a plot to an intriguing political novel.”
“We are not taking over the dwarves.” Asterios squinted at her and then all his mates. “As much as you wish to turn me into an emperor, I’m not becoming a tyrant who conquers all his neighbors through military power or schemes.”
“They will offer you their subservience on their own after learning the truth about you, Master.” Bryn smirked from the side.
“We’ll see about that.” He couldn’t help but smirk back.
Their teasing was starting to rub off on him. And he couldn’t say he didn’t enjoy it at least a tiny bit.
“Anyway, before we act, I want to familiarize myself with local customs, history, lineages, clans, rules, and all other things that your organization has on the region,” Asterios addressed the Nobelle duo belonging to Noblesse. “We will have a week after my meeting with King Welrond before the festivities in Wintercrown start. Until then, we shall perfect your plans and settle on one or two. If it turns out to be necessary, we can even show up a tad late, skipping the opening party.”
“A wise decision.” Tina’s mother quietly brought her palms together in a gesture representing applause. “I’m glad our emperor has a good head on his shoulders. My clever daughter will work with you as much as you need. In the meantime, I shall dedicate some more resources and operatives to this research. Perhaps it’s time to collect another favor from the mountain we have collected over the generations.”
“Do all the mothers I’m acquainted with live secret double lives?” He glanced over the mature trio before him.
The collective gazes roved over his mates, pausing on Selene.
“You know that my parents are nothing much,” the fox lady said.
“Except for the fact that they come from Kaguya’s line,” Miria pointed out. “They might be part of some hidden cult related to her!”
The girls giggled and continued moving past her to Silvia.
“They are literally royalty. Like that in itself isn’t enough.” Tina met her noble friend’s gaze. “Not to mention the whole elemental heritage.”
Since the fiery princess didn’t object, they stared at Grea.
“What?” The crimson-skinned woman looked back at them with a raised brow. “My mom was plain as a sheet. At least for a demon.”
“Your father is this realm’s Sealing Grandmaster.” Asterios jabbed her with his elbow. “I don’t think either of them were ordinary. Your special eye certainly is not.”
Huffing to the side, his rambunctious lover pouted in silence. When the examination reached Bryn and Althea, she snorted audibly.
“Don’t even bother. One is from the race that served as messengers of the gods while the other is a Dragon. Just watch them unlock some hidden potential that reveals their long-lost lineage of badassery.” Grea laughed at the image she painted. “I can see it already. Bryn the descendant of the first Sky Queen and Althea the successor of the most legendary Mentor Sage amongst the Lesser Dragons.”
“Honestly, I would appreciate a bit of normalcy in my life again.” Asterios laughed wryly. “Since Mii’s incident, things are constantly escalating.”
“Maybe it’s time for you to capture another mate, Master.” Miria nibbled on her bottom lip. “I think I know a person whose parents are simple folks.”
He bonked her on the head, evoking a few chuckles from the others. “Zoe is literally from the Scorching Steppes. I bet the climate if not the draconic remnants affected them. But nice try, I guess.”
They skipped Tia, but the Arch Dryad had previously informed him that she didn’t exactly have parents in the everyday meaning of that word.
“Let’s put a pin on that, the Wintercrown operation and my ever-growing entourage.” Asterios turned to their mothers. “We have one more stop today before we retreat to take a long-awaited rest. Most of us feel like we can sleep for a week after the mental strain from the world of pure darkness and horrors. So, we’ll be in touch. Thank you for helping my fresh nation prosper and for everything else.”
Wide smiles adorned their faces as he respectfully bowed to them, the girls following suit without a prompt. Gwen scratched her cheek embarrassingly, caught in their gesture. She wasn’t used to such politeness from people of significant standing.
Exchanging a few more words and making sure that Oria wished to stay behind with the other three for now, Asterios transferred his party to the entrance of the dungeon first. Emerging in the clearing with a dark whirlpool in the middle, they noted that it had grown. Kori was definitely developing.
Pinging Umbra, he then took them to the Core Chamber, appearing before the resting place of the floating ring, the master of their dungeon. The fortifications they had left in mid-construction were now finished and a respectable compound spread through the cavern, an impressive fort surrounding the Core. Plenty of monster copies hung around, some even doing drills. Their circular friend seemed to be constantly training its control over its domain.
“Master.” Their butler friend rose from the ground by their spot.
“This place changed.” Tia’s voice trilled through the air as she reformed too. “And its spiritual energy almost tripled.”
“Kori has been obediently following my instructions from before our departure.” Umbra glanced up at the slowly rotating heart of the dungeon. “And from what it told me, the more knowledge and experience it absorbs, the smarter and more clever it gets. To a certain extent, it’s like raising a child. Kori’s rapid progress is not so surprising when we take into consideration that most Cores develop alone or under the thumb of a Dungeon Master.”
“Do you understand it properly now?” Grea’s eyes widened. “I’ve been visiting and trying to chat with it even if it didn’t really respond.”
“Oh, I’m aware. Kori mentioned that too. It appreciates your companionship. It’s saddened that it struggles with connecting to anyone other than me or it would have happily engaged in a discussion with you.” He chuckled deeply. “And yes, the events from the Nethernight realm seem to have influenced the unwritten bond we share through Master. Our discussions are now on the level of a normal person rather than trying to explain concepts with images and descriptions. Perhaps it will be now possible for the two of us to connect on a deeper basis without having to break my familiar contract. There’s something I want to try. With your help, of course.”
“And what is that exactly?” Asterios didn’t hide his curiosity, even if he was starting to have a bad feeling about it.
“It looks like I have a core of my own as the Nethernight Lord,” Umbra said, rubbing his hands together. “I wonder what would happen if I linked that one with the specimen right in front of us as the curse has been taken down. Aren’t you intrigued by this idea? So many possibilities. So much power to be harnessed.”
An eerie, somewhat evil cackle bounced off the walls and ceiling as the Dark Lord cackled excitedly.
Asterios exchanged glances with his mates, who shared his current thoughts.
By freeing the Nethernight Realm from its prison, they might have unleashed something truly sinister upon the universe.
But, well, as long as it was on their side, right?