Finding a decent source of resistance took a few weeks. As I’d always known he would, Doldimar ran an efficient military campaign, making sure every city and town he acquired was fully his before moving on. Not many enemies were left alive in his wake, or at least, not many with the power to see him dead.

By the time I stumbled across the right camp, most of the empire had fallen, something that should probably have bothered me, but I only cared about it because it had made my goal more difficult. Fortunately, this group appeared both well-organized and decently equipped, which should negate that raised difficulty level.

Strangers took me to their leader, deep within their camp, and when we stepped into his tent, I stopped dead. I’d expected to find any number of people here: town mayors, city councilors, and the like.

Not Alouin’s Voice, the fucking leader of our empire. Or former empire, I supposed.

He didn’t see me when we stepped inside, intently talking with a woman instead, and restrained by my escort, I just watched him for a time. Eventually, however, he glanced my way, and when he did, he blanched before sending everyone else out of the tent.

“You’re alive,” he said once they’d gone. “Does that mean…?”

I didn’t know what he saw that shut him up, but it also had his body shaking. Since I’d seen him, my expression hadn’t once changed… I didn’t think.

As for what he’d asked about, I hadn’t touched on that subject for days. The method of compartmentalization that I’d learned during the war had become useful once more.

I was curious, however, as to why Alouin’s Voice had started crying. Considering everything he’d done, I wasn’t sure if he had a right to grieve.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “When I saw you, I hoped… I hoped I’d have a chance to redeem myself for-”

“Forgive me, Your Eminence,” I interrupted, “but might I inquire as to your resistance’s status? I’d like to offer you aid, but until I know where I might best serve, I can’t do that.”

I didn’t have the patience to wait while he collected himself. Now that I’d found my distraction for Doldimar, I wanted to start preparing the pieces.

“I… I don’t know,” Alouin’s Voice said before scrubbing his face. “I’m only here to give this group legitimacy. I’m certainly not the one calling the shots.”

…Interesting. If he wasn’t in charge, it could be beneficial. An unknown leader wouldn’t have old biases that I’d struggle with.

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At the same time, I’d have to prove my worth to them, and I wasn’t sure I could do that without using my special little curse. I’d rather not die today.

“If you’re not running things, who is?” I asked. “I need to see them. I have some information that they might find useful.”

Nodding, Alouin’s Voice said, “I see. I’ll show you to him, then.”

As we walked through camp, people bobbed their heads or bowed to their leader, which might once have irritated me. Now, I just wondered why people were genuflecting to someone whose position didn’t exist anymore.

Alouin’s Voice took me into the woods, muttering something about their leader liking his privacy. I wasn’t paying him much mind, lost in planning how I’d introduce myself to this group’s leader, but all of that flew out the window when we strode into a clearing and I saw the man waiting there.

Within a breath, I’d drawn my sword while racing after the knife I’d already thrown. It missed—how did I keep missing?—but nothing could stop me from swinging my weapon down on my foe’s head.

As if a solid surface had intercepted it, my blade stopped just shy of Reive, sending strands of his hair floating to the ground, and frowning, I tried to press forward.

My body didn’t respond to me, though.

What the fuck was going on?

Heat stabbed through my shoulder, which had me turning to Alouin’s Voice. Panting, he lifted his bloodied dagger as if to defend himself, but I ignored him, stalking away.

Several paces out, I flipped backward, facing two, soft men. They were staring at me with wide eyes and their mouths open, which had me shaking my head. They should have attacked me while my back had been turned, but while I knew why Reive hadn’t hurt me, I wasn’t sure what had stopped Alouin’s Voice.

Oh, well. Retrieving my last knife, I tossed it at Reive, and again, it missed. As it thumped into the grass, I clicked my tongue.

“Hell,” I said. “I can’t kill you.”

As if I hadn’t just tried to end him, Reive brushed himself off.

“I was wondering when you’d find us, Eriadren,” he said. “It took you long enough.”

Whipping his head to the former Councilor, Alouin’s Voice said, “You said he died when Doldimar took your home.”

“Yes. I’m almost certain that he did,” Reive said.

“Then… why have you been expecting him?”

Still glaring at Reive, I said, “I can’t die.”

With a quick, almost friendly smile, Reive dismissed me.

“Not by any means I’ve discovered, at least,” he said.

This bastard.

“What?!” Alouin’s Voice shouted.

Never looking at him, I pointed to where he’d stabbed my shoulder, and he scurried to inspect my unmarked flesh.

“I want to give Doldimar the harshest possible fate I can devise,” I told Reive. “I want to break him so thoroughly that he becomes as nothing. Will you stop me?”

I’d like to know whether I should look for another resistance cell to serve as my distraction.

“Hardly,” Reive said. “For once, your goals align with mine.”

“…You want to destroy your nephew,” I said.

I didn’t know why this surprised me. For years, Reive had tortured me without a problem. He’d killed Rafe, starting our descent into these shitty circumstances. Why wouldn’t he get rid of a once-favored piece on his game board after it had misbehaved?

“You already know the answer to that,” Reive said before glancing at me. “Well?”

Could I work with this evil man, someone who’d been a thorn in my side for my whole life?

As if he could feel my reluctance, Reive rolled his eyes.

“I’m your best shot at getting what you want,” he said.

And despite myself, I fiercely smiled.

“Let’s get started, then.”