The only thing more dangerous than fighting in the Everwar happening at the Base of the Claimed Hells is trying to play politics with the big players in the Heights.

-The Trespasser’s Compendium

II-58

Out of the Pan

The Collectress hid her surprise as she watched them emerge from the crumbling nest. She would have assumed a few of them to be lost to the Dying Queen. Instead, every last one of the boy’s minions was alive and… well, she couldn’t call them well, but alive and functional. And then there was the increased amount of power emanating from her champion and his blade.

He had died again. She could feel it. But then why weren’t there any casualties? Why was the young master still in pristine condition? What was even happening.

“Well, would you look at that,” the Old Man chuckled, rising from his throne to give a standing ovation. As he did, most of his ridiculous minions repeated the action, nearly deafening the Collectress with the collective hammering of their armored hands. She hated it when he did that. Which is probably why he did it more. “You know something, I expected a few of the weaker ones to not make it. Hell of a thing to pull off.”

“Indeed,” the Collectress said coolly. But what drew her attention more was how her champion was bantering with the boy, arguing with him without rancor. Like they weren’t enemies but brothers in arms. If that were the case, the question grew: Why wasn’t someone near to Wei An Wei taken? Not even the former queen was dead. Which was displeasing, because that meant his psyche remained unmarred. Stable.

She didn’t like her slaves stable.

Wei and the remainder of his retinue approached like battle-scarred heroes from a storybook. They came side by side. Some were wounded, a few were bereft limbs or limping, but at their head, Wei An Wei strode side by side with the Bastard as they passed by the colossal marble columns that held up this throne room, their bases painted by a pool of spreading blood.

There was something else there as well. A change in the air. A stench she couldn’t shake. A coldness welled inside the Collectress, as if a foul wind was descending upon her specifically. Suddenly, she felt very alone in the room. Which was when she noticed William Yu. He was looking at her, his gaze boring into her person as if he could see through her. She turned and met his stare, but he didn’t look away. Instead, there was something disquieting behind his flat gaze. It wasn’t even the same look he gave her when he left her to bleed out all those years ago.

Truth be told, he didn’t even seem like himself.

Something was wrong. A part of this picture was missing. But the Collectress couldn’t tell what. And that wasn’t something she could accept.

“Collectress. Old Man. Our promised task: Delivered. Your offending intruder: Eliminated.” Wei gestured behind him as golden custodians teleported in to mop up the blood. The nest of crimson that once disfigured the great hall of white and gold was gone. And so was the Embraced that spawned it.

“Yeah, I can see that,” the Old Man said. With a snap of his fingers, he summoned a goblet of wine to his hands. He took a sip first and then gestured for the massive golden knights around him to service Wei and his allies. Swords fizzled away into bright motes, and in their place came massive jugs of water and other libations. A few extended their hands as they channeled healing energies into the disciples. “Less than a few hours here and already you’re doing us a big service.” The Old Man toasted the Collectress. “Quite the feat. I suppose your boy deserves a bit of credit too.”

The Bastard snorted slightly. More emotion than the Collectress had seen him express to another in months. The look drained from his face when he noticed she was staring at him, but only after.

“He was formidable,” Wei said, replying to the Old Man. “A true warrior.”

And once more, the Bastard suppressed something that was almost a grin.

The Collectress was versed in reading faces and understanding people. And this was an unwanted development. She had taken months culturing him. Pruning his connections down to her, his love, and his unborn child. And now, another had entered the fray, beyond her control, and untouched by death. Or so she assumed.

The Old Man and Wei traded a few more pleasantries before the boy casually took his father back into his Inventory. There was no acknowledgement or dialogue. It was just a casual action. Almost rehearsed ahead of time. The Collectress turned her attention on the others in his group. Straining her Perception, she noticed though some were haggard, a selected few seemed more distraught than all the others.

Especially the princess.

She tried to keep her face vacant of expression, but her body was tremoring, and she kept looking at her mother. The former queen… The woman seemed fine, but this was something. This was worry.

The Collectress considered using her Invocation on them. Her true Invocation. But that came with risks as well. Most of them weren’t even beyond Knight-Tier, but there was something very wrong with the boy. And there was also the matter of the Old Man. She pulled on their relationship to be invited here, but that didn’t mean he would just allow her to play with what he considered his toy.

I must tread carefully, she thought. And her attention zeroed in on Wei again. And I need to focus my approach on this boy. I need the girl—the Scion. But he… I must know what his nature is.

***

It took Wei everything he had to continue the performance. After what he just experienced, he just wanted to stew in silence. Mediate. Or just go down into the Base and start a fight. Be part of a mindless war to fuel his System and grow his power. Instead, he needed to play house with some Old Man who clearly wanted to own him, and guess at what the Collectress was scheming.

He noticed her quietude. Quite a change for her previous behavior. He wasn’t the best at reading people, but she was trying to do something. So active in trying to create a situation for herself. She spoke much of a gambit earlier, and was trying to obtain Agnesia. Now, she played the passive observer and let the Old Man do the talking. Not the behavior of someone whose plans were in motion.

But Wei wasn’t so bold to confront her either. Just because he noticed doesn’t mean he was in his depth. He needed to proceed with caution. And his disciples needed a break. All of them. Especially Agnesia.

The Old Man continued to talk about this and that, but Wei barely registered any of the words. There was a lot to take in, and—

“You’re doing good. Just keep on nodding and smiling. In a few minutes, ask for a private residence for you and yours. The Old Man will be obliged to provide that to you for services rendered. That, and he probably wants to keep you on the premises throughout the gala.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Even Bishop’s words sounded dull and muted, but Wei managed to direct an acknowledgment. Do you have anything on the Collectress? Her behavior is odd. Unlike how she was before.

“Well, she’s up to something. Can’t rightly tell you what yet.”

Oh, is her mind so hard to breach?

“Hers? No. But the power behind her? Yeah. I’m a little less confident in trespassing there without being noticed.”

What power behind her?

“Something a hell of a lot more than just a Count-Tier, that’s for sure. You should know, now, that everyone is a player in this game. But we’re also pawns to greater powers.”

And is the Lodge player or pawn in their relationship with the Harbinger. There are things you haven’t told me. Things you didn’t reveal.

“That is a question I ask myself all too often. It depends. And I don’t know. Wei. Old Man’s taking a sip. Ask him for hospitality.”

The young master played his role as temporary pawn accordingly. “Count. As much as your words enchant, you must understand that my sect and I did not come here prepared for a battle. As such, we are exhausted from our endeavor and might require a means of recovery. Of course, we do not wish to offend your hospitality by leaving as soon as we came.”

“Ah,” the Old Man nodded. The sun hovering above his left shoulder flickered brighter. “Of course. Forgive me. Leave it to an… old man to ramble.” He laughed at his own joke. Only Garret joined in. Several other disciples turned, but Wei found it unsurprising. The man did spend most of his years in service under Angeleous—another old man.

A loud crash came from the left side of the room, the walls opened as if a parting chasm to reveal a long hallway lined with polished floorboards. There, at the end, was a grand door made from solid gold. Outside, two three meter tall knights stood on guard, each one bearing halberds fashioned from liquid lightning.

Doormen Lv. 150

Quite the Essence Level for glorified guards. It also answered the question why the Old Man wasn’t worried about the Embraced’s intrusion at all. With so much power at their disposal, Wei’s deeds amounted to little more than an audition. It was at once useful and a little insulting.

“There,” the Old Man said, gesturing with his hand. “These rooms are usually prepared for someone Count-Tier… or above. Inside, you’ll find a perfectly serviceable pocket reality. Now, I won’t claim it’s the biggest or that it’s orgy-ready, but you’ll see every one of your needs met. And that’s a guarantee.”

Wei brought palm and fist together in a salute. “My gratitude. As for the gala…”

“Ah,” the Old Man said, draping an arm over Wei’s shoulder as he started walking him toward the distant door. “Don’t worry. There’s a lot of fluffy and unimportant people at these things. Lot of social climbers. But you… you’ve done enough climbing for a day, I’d say. Come out when you want. These things run for quite some time. Once you’re finished with your… recovery, come out. There are people I want to I want to introduce you to.” He paused mid-step. “And I think you do to, right? Collectress?”

The Countess of Lust simply offered a nod. “Indeed. But before that, I have a request of my own. My champion—”

“Is welcome to share a space with us,” Wei answered. The words just left him without actual thought. The Collectress went quiet, and several heads turned to stare at Wei. Vendrian looked most surprised of all. “Truly?”

“I mean every word of praise I offered to him.”

Vendrian’s face was battle-worn and resembled worn-granite than flesh. But it could still do a faint approximation of confusion and gratitude.

“Yes,” the Collectress said, speaking when her champion had no words to give. “This is most acceptable. Truly, I am surprised. I didn’t realize a bond had formed.”

“I wouldn’t go that far,” Wei and Vendrian said at the same time. The two eyed each other after. The Collectress actually had the gall to smirk.

“So you two say. But this is good. This is better than whatever gambit I wished to play. I… apologize for my prior behavior.” She let out a tired breath. “I misjudged you to be just another Sinner seeking to climb the halls of power. I see that you are of a purer sort now, and I should have treated you honestly.”

She sounded genuine. She might even think she was being genuine. But she did recruit Vendrian by murdering him over and over again, forcing his family to die in his stead. She also had his wife and unborn child as collateral. Whatever show she was putting on, Wei did well to remember what kind of person he was talking to.

“Well,” the Old Man chuckled, throwing up his hands and sending wine splashing behind him. “Since everyone’s in accord, I think things have turned out for the better between us. Better by far, even with our uninvited guest. Well. I think I will let you all have your day now. Enjoy. Relax. And when you’re ready.” He grinned, and there was nothing gentle about that smile. “I mean really ready, come out and get back into the fire.”

It sounded like there was an actual threat behind those words. At that, Wei offered another salute and looked to his disciples, to Vendrian, and let out a breath. “Come then. Let us find some respite.”

They ventured down the newly revealed hallway like some kind of wounded snake. Wei, Agnesia, and Vendrian took the front. Rafael loomed close behind them—which drew Wei’s attention. The lich was remarkably quiet. Too quiet. Something was happening with him as well. Groans and complaints leaked from the disciples, but most of them were glad to be done with the violence.

“Hey, boss man,” Mira called from the back. “We’re getting training off tomorrow, right?”

“Light training,” Wei replied without thinking.

A series of moans and cries of dismay followed.

“I wish I would have died in the nest,” the Orc Chef said.

“Training?” Vendrian said, narrowing his eyes.

“I’m trying to get them martial-capable. There is still much they need to learn about combat. And their Aspects require more improvements as well.”

“So… what? You’re the one that’s training them? Just you?”

Wei glared at Vendrian. “Why? Do you doubt my skill?”

“No. Just your temperament and maturity.”

“How dare you,” Wei seethed.

Vendrian grinned slightly. “You’re pretty easy to wind up too. Anyone tell you that?”

“Yes,” Agnesia answered from behind.

“Traitor,” Wei hissed.

The girl stared at him from the corner of his eye and suddenly, he noticed how short he was standing between her and Vendrian.

“We must solve this problem,” the Shell said. “We must.”

As the mirth faded from Vendrian’s face, he lowered his gaze. “You know she’s planning something, right? Using me to achieve something. I don’t know what, but she would never release me if she did have some kind of idea.”

“I guessed,” Wei said. “But I’d rather keep her close and finish this thing quickly than give her room to breathe and plot some more.”

More importantly, it wasn’t just him playing against the Collectress. He had more experienced people in his corner as well.

“You’re goddamn right about that,” Bishop answered.

Arriving before the door, Wei looked at the guards and offered them a nod. He took a peek at the other side with his Omniscience and quirked an eyebrow. “Well, then. The Old Man certainly likes to understate things?”

“What?” Vendrian said.

“Our ‘room.’ It’s quite… something.”

“How do you know?”

Wei shot the Scion of Death one final glance and pressed his hand against the golden door. With a slight push, it opened, and from the inside tumbled a landslide of soft pillows and spreading silken bedsheets. A voice quickly followed, loud and jubilant. “Welcome… to Slumberland!”