Shaking and breathing heavily, Henna clutches at her wounded hand, the chunk of zweihander still impaling it. The adrenaline from the heat of the moment is wearing off quickly, so the pain and gravity of the wound is coming back in full force without the benefits of righteous fury to dull it.

"Angelus!" I call to the haggard Beacon, who is probably down to his last Minor Succor, who is already en route.

"I know," He grumbles breathlessly, taking Henna's hand, "Hey, hold steady, focus on your breathing, ok? I can close the wound, but I'm not sure if I can mend the damage completely with Minor Succor alone - we should take her to Lamnon upstairs."

Through grit teeth, Henna hisses, "Ain't lettin' that bastard touch me."

"That's your business," Angelus frowns, "Bite down on your sleeve for a minute, I'm going to pull it out and heal at the same time. I won't lie, this is going to hurt, a lot."

"I can pull it, it's pretty lodged in there," I offer, wanting to be of use.

"No n-" Angelus begins to reject when a suffocating Presence descends upon us. The ground rumbles and shakes, dust falling from the ceiling and the luminous tiles flicker randomly. I feel an intense, baleful glare directed straight at me and Henna, and I feel a severe urge to vomit as all my internal organs are pressed down against my ribs and pelvic bone, the worst reaction my body has had to demonic Authority yet.

 

 

 

 

"What the fuck was that?!" Jupiter groans, picking himself off of the floor and loping over.

"Geronil's boss," Windy answers, "Woof, haven't felt anything like that since prom night. Chase was one scary narcissistic bitch..."

Shaking it off, I stand up straight, "That was Arevas 'politely' inviting us to speak with him in person. Under threat of death."

"Do we have to bring a case of wine?" Angelus jokes, wincing, "At least we don't have to go immediately, we're in no state for it."

Sighing, he turns back to Henna and takes up her wounded hand, "As we were...Bite your sleeve, please."

Complying, Henna shuts her eyes tightly and takes a deep breath through her nose, mumbling readiness. Taking the splint in hand by the wider portion, Angelus rips it out the moment before he finishes the chant of Minor Succor, sealing the wound before it becomes an issue. Henna, unsurprisingly, moans in pain, sucking air through her teeth with short, rapid breaths in and out to take the edge off of the pain.

"In future, I advise you grab the hand holding the pointy metal rather than the metal itself," the healer chides, "I'll admit it was an impressive display of grit, but not the smartest decision you could have made under the circumstances."

Embarrassed, Henna looks away, "...Thanks."

"Don't mention it, it's my job and my hobby," Angelus smiles peacefully, throwing a glance my way, "So, what next, Silver?"

"We can leave the clean-up to the Empire and their hirelings," I reply, staring at the timer, "So, we should go back to the Encampment to inform the good Captain of our success."

"Surprised he didn't drop anything," Windy kicks Geronil's mangled corpse, "Cheapskate. Pay for my fucking repairs, asshole, you bent my shield in half."

"The Captain will pay us for the deed, not to worry," I reassure her, "The Empire's credo will ensure it. Besides which, we've already gotten everything we set out to accomplish, so anything else is just a bonus."

"I mean, sure, but to go through all this just to get to him and he doesn't even drop a single fuckin' penny?" Jade grumps, "I feel robbed."

"Hate to interrupt, but there's a locked box over here that's giving me the heeby-jeebies," Jupiter calls from a nearby workstation that Geronil was using as a stockpiling point for a collection of awful smelling bloodstained wooden buckets, "Oh, got a Quest. Neat."

"Store it away, we'll deal with it later," I sheath my sword, "Henna, you alright to get going?"

Slowly flexing the fingers of her damaged hand with a little difficulty, Henna nods, "Yeah, m'legs still work just fine."

"What about you, Silver?" Miss Leovoldt questions, "Looks like you've got a fist-shaped hole in your ribcage."

"Better than it looks. The armour took the brunt of it, but the durability plummeted to compensate," I answer, considering whether or not to just take it off, "Near thing, though."

"Yeahhh, what was up with that strength?" Windy puts her bent shield into her inventory, "Thought he was supposed to be some kinda mage. The hell kinda spellcaster can punch a tank so hard they backflip midair?"

"Putting aside meta considerations for his status," I hypothesise, "I'd say it has something to do with the glowing rune tattoos on his body. A short-lived buff spell, most likely, though the nature of it eludes me."

"Can I get some of those, d'ya think?" She muses, likely feeling a little impotent after her struggle to keep up with the challenges of the day, in spite of how impressive a feat that actually is from the perspective of a veteran.

"If you sold yourself out to Arevas and changed your Class to some flavour of Demon Contractor, perhaps," I muse, "Don't let it bother you too much, we're still in the early game, even if it feels like it's been longer. Time dilation is a persistent issue with VR, don't forget."

"Yeah, I know," Windy sighs, as we make our way out of the basement, "Just feel like I could be doing...more. Not useless, just, more. Y'know?"

"You're doing fantastic, Win, what are you talking about?" Jade pipes up, agitated by Windy's self-deprecation, "You bailed his sorry ass out back there, after all."

"Thanks, by the way," I remember my manners, the incident having slipped my mind in the excitement.

"Don't mention it, boss," Windy lets a short laugh loose, "What're the odds that Rambling Rose are waiting outside with another ambush?"

"Not low," Angelus muses behind us, "Since we've already finished off Geronil and basically ended the Siege, could be they'll decide to just cut their losses, though. Won't be the last time Hadrian comes to find trouble with us, if I had to guess."

"Let him, we'll just kick their shit in again," Jade chuckles darkly, "Free stuff."

"I'll pass on the risk of Infamy build-up, thanks," Jupiter throws his hands up, "PvP isn't my jam. More a 'live and let live' kinda guy - Rather mind my own business blasting camp after camp of mobs or wander around questing for cool lore and shit. Like, this? This whole Magpie Demon whatever? This is cool."

"I'd have to agree," Angelus admits, "Game progression is more important than engaging in grudge matches with random passersby."

A sentiment I wholeheartedly endorse. For the time being, Rambling Rose are a moderate threat to us at best, but once they pass Level 10 and complete The First Step, they'll be a much bigger problem for us, especially considering their membership's abundance of Hedge Mages, since non-Fighters are the ones who gain the most from gaining a specialised Class. Having the equivalent of five Jupiters arrayed against us would be a recipe for defeat with our current strength and numbers, which is one of the major reasons I didn't want to antagonise Hadrian to this degree.

As much as it would be easy to just open the floodgates in order to recruit basically anyone and everyone with a pulse to shore up our deficient manpower, I have little choice but to be more discerning when choosing the people who will be forming our Core membership, especially when the risk of infiltrators from Darkest Dreamers Alliance and any hired agents from Hadrian's side is going to be high.

Moreover, without a Headquarters, we can't even make proper use of all those people. At present, our membership is limited to a hundred people, which although it might sound like a generous amount, is extremely restrictive in the grand scheme of things, and the only ways of increasing the capacity are by raising our evaluation to a higher Star, or by acquiring suitable holdings like the Wolf Lord's old mansion and converting them into Headquarters, Barracks and so on. Some of the options are restricted by Star Rating, as are many of the more advanced variants of the facilities we're currently authorised to create, own and operate; but doing so requires a hefty amount of materials, money and skilled craftsmen with the relevant Schematic as well as Project Collaborator, primarily Architects.

As my brain continuously throws up reminders of the staggering amount of work still ahead of me, I can feel the elation of having dealt with the Siege in an efficient, timely manner with no casualties fading away and the stress returning in force. At the very least, we won't need to deal with Arevas immediately, so I can still afford to take it a little easy the day after tomorrow, as I expect we'll be busy dealing with the aftermath of our actions tomorrow.

"Silver? Hey, Silver?" Jupiter pokes me, and I realise we've already left the Pioneers' Alliance through the back door before I even realised it.

Pinching the bridge of my nose and rubbing, I try and shake off just a little bit of the grumblings rattling around my skull, "Sorry, I was...occupied by my thoughts. Did you need something?"

"Nah, just saw you zoning out and figured I should pull you back into the land of the living. Or, at least, the virtual living I guess, since...yeah," He scratches his head, "I guess we're all going straight back to the camp, while you butter up the Captain guy?"

"Best that all of us are present," I muse, "The Empire always pays it's debts....So long as people care to collect, anyway. I doubt we'll get shortchanged, but it's best to not give them an excuse to."

If this was post-RotA, Captain Sheveret would absolutely look for any possible way to embezzle a little of the credit and reward for himself, but at present, he lacks the capacity to do much even if he has the will.

"Guess I'm sticking around with you for a bit longer then," Miss Leovoldt smiles helplessly, "Kinda wanted to go bra-...talk to the guys about what a day this has been."

"It's on the way, and it won't take too terribly long," I console her, "Jade, can you check that there are no ambushes set up out front?"

"Yeah, sure," Jade vanishes around the corner at speed.

"Better not be one," Miss Leovoldt complains, "I seriously need a break. And some hot cocoa."

"A pot of mint tea wouldn't go amiss right now," Angelus agrees, "It's been a long day, and I've burned through enough HP and MP to fuel a dozen clones of myself."

Jade returns a moment later, "All clear, looks like. Buncha people milling around, but none of those Rambling Rose idiots."

"Alright, but stay on guard all the same," I order, "There's no guarantee of safety, and there will likely be a few remnant monsters wandering around that haven't been killed yet as well as a few traps still untriggered. If we follow the same route we used to get here we should be able to avoid most dangers."

"Sounds good to me," Windy nods, putting her helmet back on, "Don't know if we can survive much more abuse, my gear's about ready to give up the ghost entirely, gonna be honest."

"Not much better off," I concur, my hand gravitating towards the obvious dent in my breastplate, "It's about time we replaced it, anyway, so I'm not sure it's worth paying to repair it all."

"Ain't like we have much money left right now anyway," Jade grumbles, "We've barely got, like, two Stone Gold to rub together between us."

"Not difficult to rectify," I sigh, "But yes, we will be needing a lot more money in the days to come, and we'll be spending it practically as fast as we can earn it."

Stepping out onto the open street, a small crowd of people - recently freed from the Cathedral most likely - is gathered to gawk at the building and the devastation wrought upon the city itself. One or two are hanging around slack-jawed at the main entrance of the Alliance building, while a few with weaker constitutions squat on the veranda trying to settle their stomachs and put the image out of their minds. Seeing our group emerge from the small alleyway, we attract a few curious stares, however, it doesn't appear that many of them recognise us, which is probably for the best.

"What, no confetti and uproarious applause?" Jupiter mumbles, disappointed.

"We're not that big of a deal yet," Windy pats his shoulder, "I think for now the only ones that people recognise'll be me and Silver, anyway, and even then it's just because of our equipment rather than our faces."

"Having matching outfits with Angelus probably isn't gonna make you stand out much," Jade adds with a half-hearted shrug.

"...Yeah, point taken," Jupiter looks Angelus up and down with a complicated expression, "No offence, man."

"None taken," the healer sighs, "This isn't exactly to my taste either, to be frank, but I've had to wear worse in the name of stats. The Geminisoul Saviour set from Justicar was....an interesting experience for a best-in-slot set."

"Isn't that the one that makes you look like a cheap Detroit hooker from the eighties?" Jupiter winces, "Yeah, I remember seeing pictures of that being passed around. You have my condolences."

"Trying not to imagine that image, now," Jade scrunches her eyes shut, "Ew."

"Rub salt in the wound, why don't you," Angelus snarks, "I've gotten over it since then, thankfully, but you'll never get me into any pair of shoes with a heel taller than half an inch ever again."

"I don't blame you," Windy offers sympathy.

"...Do I even want to know what you're talking about?" I ask, hesitantly.

""""No.""""

---

 

Sheveret Troop Encampment, Fander Field

Filing into the Troop Captain's tent, the man in question sits much as our last time behind his ostentatious desk poring over paperwork of nebulous importance. Annoyed to be interrupted, he musters the beginnings of a tirade before realising who we are - or perhaps more specifically, who I am.

"You're back, I see," Captain Sheveret muses, "I received reports of your deeds, so, as promised in the name of our Empire, Citizen, I confer upon you the Title of Siegebreaker. If you desire additional recompense for your services, you may make your case."

The captain looks reluctant at that last part, but I'm not going to push our luck. As much as we've done, the Empire won't be handing out much in the way of rewards.

"On behalf of Truthseekers, I request the free use of a Medium Vault Meteo City's Warehouse for a period of one year, starting tomorrow," I decide after a moment's consideration.

The Captain appears deep in thought, but really it's the System evaluating whether the reward is both feasible and appropriate.

"Very well, Truthseekers may make use of a Medium Vault in the City Warehouse, for a period of one year. Once the year is over, normal fees and so on will apply, please refer to the staff working at the Warehouse for further details," he advises woodenly.

"I'll just take some cash," Miss Leovoldt shrugs, not really sure what else to ask for.

"Please see the Quartermaster for your reward," the Captain nods, then looks to Henna, "And you, Citizen?"

Henna hesitates, looking to me for a moment, "I'm the owner of Stone Arsenal, a Blacksmithing Workshop in the city that got trashed and robbed during the Siege..."

Captain Sheveret nods, "Special attention will be paid to your business in the reconstruction. Provide the Quartermaster with an accurate list of all stolen property as well as your Mark and you will be reimbursed accordingly. If that is all, then you may leave."

"Are we still allowed the use of our tent?" I check.

"Yes, until we break camp, you may continue to rest here," Captain Sheveret confirms, "Farewell, Citizen, and Stars Bless."

"Stars Bless, Captain," I murmur, snapping off a quick salute.

 

 

 

Niche Title, but potentially quite useful. Getting the use of a Medium Vault - Which is a 10,000 'slot' capacity - is of far greater value since the cost involved in renting it for a year would be around 500 Stone Gold as a deposit and 60 a month after.

Leaving the tent, I get some stares from the Guild, awaiting an explanation, which I oblige them with.

"That's...alright, I was about to judge you for taking our rewards from us, but free Guild storage at that price is hard to argue against," Jade admits, "Was getting tired of lugging around all these fucking rocks."

"Kinda makes me wish I asked for something other than money," Miss Leovoldt's head sinks low, "Ah well. I'm gonna head off, been a hell of a time working with you all."

I shake her hand, "It's been a pleasure."

"See ya," Windy waves, "I'll send my contact info on the forum later."

"Yeah, sure thing," Miss Leovoldt smiles, "See ya."

With a slight skip to her step, she turns and jogs off towards the general direction of the encampment's Quartermaster. For whatever reason, I note a slight twinge of irritation on Jade's face that vanishes as quickly as it appears. Peculiar.

Ignoring it, I turn to Henna, "What about you, Henna? Are you going to head back to Stone Arsenal? You can pull up a cot with us in our tent if you want."

"I'm going to go hassle the camp's healer to get this hand looked at," The smith shakes her head, then looks apologetically at Angelus, "Nothing against your spellcraft, sir, but I reckon I'll be needing something a little stronger to stop it twitchin'."

"No offence taken," Angelus smiles, "I might join you, actually. I need something a little stronger too, so it can't hurt to ask if they've a Spell Manual they'd be willing to part with."

Henna smiles, "Alright. I'll be leading the way then."

She pauses a moment, "And...thank you for today. All of you."

I smile back, accepting her sincere gratitude for what it is, "You're welcome. I'll stop by the shop tomorrow for a chat, if that's alright with you?"

"Yeah, 'sfine," Henna breathes in the dusk air, "Need to take some time to m'self to process all this anyway. Be seeing you, then."

Angelus and Henna part ways with us in relative silence, leaving me with the girls and Jupiter.

"Guess we should get to the tent and log off then, eh?" Windy half-smiles, running her hand through her hair awkwardly.

"Sounds like a plan," Jupiter agrees languidly, "I'm dead on my feet."

"No objections," I roll my stiff shoulder, "Jade, I'll be waiting in the main hall, don't think I've forgotten about you."

The small woman freezes up, "...Fine."