Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 991: At The Right Time

"The empire of Hamleth is fragmented into kingdoms comprising numerous duchies. Aurum is a rather debated spot at the moment because of our yield and a lack of a noble house. The fae mother that ruled over this land chooses the ruler instead, but that alone doesn’t mean much to the Emperor. His law demands a minimum of a theocratic republic. Hence we’re where we are, at the edge of Aurum with lush land, heavy taxation and yet more freedom than any other city in the empire. All thanks to our lady of the land, the fae spirit, Iridia Magna."

"Are you sure that you’re talking about a dark fae? Because from the sounds of it, she’s far too generous for a species most known for raping other creatures." Helga’s question to Joselia raised some eyebrows, but roped in their temper; the council members deferred back to their unofficial queen to answer her.

"I understand that your understanding of a dark fae is far different than ours. But consider the hero himself; has he not risen above his nature and led an army of selfless men and women marching towards certain death at some point, all so they can protect their children’s future?"

"And in case you’ve forgotten, miss barbarian..." Raising her voice in the crowd, Liliyana spoke from the opposite side of Helga inside the queen’s meeting hall. "I’m half dark fae as well, but I haven’t done anything of the sort. I think it’s time we abandon our preconceived notions of each other, because how else can we trust the soldier standing next to us in war if we’re always so afraid of them turning against us? Not to mention–"

Narrowing her eyes, Liliyana tried to get up, but Amedith pulled her back into her chair before she could.

"You’re a barbarian by class and a general of the last holy war who’d killed countless people, including families. And if the stories are true, haven’t you done what you’re accusing the dark faes of? Still, you are a loving mother with children, or is that something that you’re gonna abandon in a flit all because of your nature?"

"Where the fuck did that come from, you bitch?" Helga huffed, turning around in her chair.

Blinking a few times while her lover shook his head quietly beside her, Liliyana snapped out of her rage and finally realized what all she’d just said. Pressing a hand to her head, she clicked her tongue and apologized.

"S-sorry...I’ve been a bit stressed recently. So much happened."

"Fine," Helga replied, noting the weary look in the fae devil’s eyes.

"Now, if I may have everyone’s attention again–" Using her gavel, Joselia snapped everyone’s attention back at her. "As I was saying, with the dismantling of faith in Hamleth in our city, the city spirit will most likely be denounced as some demonic entity, perhaps even a pagan god. And even if it doesn’t happen, the Emperor will send his vessels to attack us, but it should take them a while to prepare for the attack considering they’re very much likely aware of the hero’s presence, our own armed forces, and the army that you mentioned that’s heading here."

"How long do we have?" Amedith asked.

Tapping her fingers against the desk, Joselia looked over at Brein, and the elf quickly took over. Adjusting his collar and cuffs, the head of spies glanced down at his desk and rolled out a parchment map. His fingers roamed the yellow hue of the cartographic sketch, following a seamless track from Aurum to the head of the Emperor’s palace.

"Said armies will have to filter through Duchess Charlotte’s territory. We can stay hidden there, but that would break the terms of our deal with her." Lifting his eyes off the map, he looked right at Helga. "Any attention to her duchy and she will be right to kick us out, even reveal information about our work. I would prefer if that didn’t happen and instead we can intercept the forces beyond her territory."

"Wouldn’t the Emperor suspect that something’s wrong with Charlotte if nobody is making it to her territory but she’s fine?" Mel asked, cross-legged and paying great heed to the council’s strategy.

"That is true; however, what is more likely?" Turning his head, Brein wore a weak smile. "If no news is making it out of her territory, the emperor would suspect that she herself has perished or that she had struck a deal with the supposed enemy? I would bet on the former rather than the latter, in either case–whether she turns on us or not, we need the passage, and we also need to cut off all communication to and fro from her duchy."

"So we are backstabbing her, just not literally?" Aria inquired further.

A bit frustrated by the interruptions, Brein scowled. Taking note of the change, Jeanne–the fair judge took over.

"Ideally, we would prefer to minimize all casualties and instead have the people of the Hamleth Empire see their god for who he is. Perhaps you can scoop up some followers from the strayed bunch, but if news ever gets out that we’ve already betrayed Lady Charlotte, then a chance of alliance would become brittle. Not to mention, the lady won’t take it well initially, but if what we’ve heard from some of her soldiers is true, then rumors suggest that she might be willing to overlook the betrayal and instead convert herself."

"What rumors?" Liliyana asked, but this time an answer came from her own group.

"That she thinks Hamleth is weak if he’s afraid of us. Part of the holy order of our lady has mingled with them. The shepherds amongst them." Blinking her lashes, Erika looked around at everyone with her hands folded and her body leaning back in her chair. "The word shepherd made a few of them talk, and I agree with the council here; she will be upset at first, but we can’t risk revealing our secrets to her until we’ve gotten the rest of the enemies off of our backs. Not because she can kill any of us, but because I presume that we can use her as an ally going forward."

"That hammer, if it wasn’t for that, I would’ve had nothing to worry about in the battle against her, but I suppose, if it gives us an advantage and she can provide safe and silent passage for our armies, then it’s better to keep her as an ally–at least for now. We may not die, but someone, maybe a handful of soldiers, maybe a battalion even- can’t say I’m willing to make that sacrifice if we can help it." Turning around in her chair again, Helga looked at Liliyana once more. "There? I do have a heart. You don’t have to clench your butt when we’re fighting side by side."

Although she felt bad for lashing out against her before, Liliyana used magic to draw a middle finger in the air and tapped it–sending it flying in her direction. Helga’s tense expression lightened a bit, and so did that of everyone else present, perhaps everyone except Haurum, as the magical chastity was torturing him still.

The sudden opening of the meeting room door by a maid, however, quickly broke the quiet serenity, replacing it with a sense of purpose as she spilled the words.

"The hero’s back, and he brought flying ships with him!" Half smiling at the absurdity of her own words, the maid was panting from the mile-long rush through the floors of the consulate building. All the while, the others braced their hearts for the arrival of the Tridents meant only one thing.

The war resumes perpetually.