They ate dinner out in the Alleyway that night, as Enzi couldn’t fit through the kitchen door. After bringing out some chairs and a table, Theo still hadn’t come down from his room.

“What’s he doing up there?” Ronny looked up the stairs, “Surely he knows we’re eating.”

Alice was walking through the door, carrying their dinner, “He’s staying downtown tonight.”

“Downtown?” Ronny followed her out into the alleyway, which was empty aside from Enzi, whose presence had probably scared off the usual drunkards and scoundrels. He sat on the floor because Alice didn’t have any chairs that could support a man of his size. After the food had been set out and everyone was seated, Ronny pushed the topic, “What business does Theo have downtown?”

She paused a bit before giving an answer, “He just turned fifteen, so he’s eligible to claim his inheritance now. He’s out doing that.”

“Oh! I’d forgotten. He’s a noble, isn’t he?”

“A member of the Thelza Family, yes. He’ll be one of the richest in the country soon.”

Enzi put down his bread, which was his fourth loaf, “But for him to get an inheritance, wouldn’t that mean that his parents are dead?”

“For a few years. They got attacked by a sea monster while on a voyage to Yellor. A ‘caretaker’ has had de facto control of their fortune since then.”

“Why was he living here then?”

“I’d like to say that is was because of the war, but that’s not quite true. If you want the real reason, you can ask Theo when he gets back.”

Ronny sat up attentively, now skeptical, “Why would he come back?”

“He has his reasons.”

“I see.” Ronny didn’t care for the secrecy but trusted her enough to rest assured, “Well I hope he knows what he’s doing.”

By the time another word was spoken, they had all finished eating.

“So how was work?”

“Busy.”

“I see.” Alice could tell that he was hiding something, but didn’t want to pry, “Don’t push yourself too hard.”

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♦

Queen Madison eyed her visitor cautiously. They were in a big, somewhat toned-down room. Decorations were limited to paintings and a few small plants, and the space was mainly filled with tall bookshelves, each filled to maximum capacity.

It was the royal library, and a preferred meeting place to the throne room. Madison found it much more functional and more importantly, secure. The room was at the heart of the palace and getting there without permission was nearly impossible.

That being said, her visitor had done exactly that. The woman, face obscured by a cowl, had broken in without anyone noticing and now sat across from Madison, examining the Queen, “So you killed your dad, huh? That’s hardcore.” She chuckled, “I guess I respect the grind though.”

“What do you want?” Madison kept an excellent poker face.

“No room for pleasantries in your busy schedule? Not even for a Mythrill-ranked adventurer?” She pointed to her rank-plate, “That’s Rude.”

Madison had already taken note of the rank plate before that. In fact, she noticed it before her guest had sat down. That was why she hadn’t already tried to kill them, “Is this about Demons?”

“Right on!” The guest clapped, “As I’m sure you guessed, the bigwigs over at The Guild are pissed. They can’t have their authority challenged like that. Not by a small, powerless country like yours. It makes them look bad, you know.”

“And what do they intend to do about it?”

“Nothing yet! They’re giving you a few months to get back onboard with their whole genocide thing. After that though, they’ll probably make this country of yours into a colony of a more loyal, neighboring nation.” She added, “I know you’re an ability user—and a strong one at that—but I really don’t think you stand much of a chance if they were to say… send an Adamantite?”

“They wouldn’t waste an Adamantite’s time on something as trivial as this.” Madison leaned back in her chair and smirked, “So are you here to kill me, or just to say hi?”

“You’re awfully cocky! Don’t get me wrong, I’d very much be interested in torturing you until you break, but that’s not why I’m here! They just wanted me to ask you what your thinking, and I think I have an answer.”

Madison put her knuckle to her forehead, amused. “Is that so? What, in your words then, are my plans?”

“The details really matter, all that’s important is that you don’t intend to cooperate!” The visitor was also quite amused.

“I suppose there’s truth to that. Very well then. Tell them that, if you’d be so kind… and tell them that it might not be easy as they think.”

The woman reached in for a handshake and got a firm one in return, “Well good talk then. Bye!” With that, the intruder was gone.

General Risitro then came out from behind the bookshelves, where he had been hiding. He’d been there almost the whole time, “Another war, so soon after the last one ended. Perhaps peace really is an illusion.”

“Yes, I’m inclined to agree.” She got up and approached him, “I’m glad you got the distress signal. It’s surprising that they didn’t try to assassinate me then and there.”

“They probably sensed me.”

Madison gave her friend a pat on the shoulder, “Yeah, that’s almost definitely true. A Mythrill should be capable of that much, at the minimum. Thanks for the quick response either way.”

They left the library and walked through the halls, “How do you intend to fight The Guild?”

“Depends on how serious they are about this. Either way, the first step is to find my sister.”