"My Blessed shall save you all"

Goddess of Healing Emoh'ta to the first King of Vermilion.

William walked along the trails and dirt roads of Kallista's domain, realizing this was the first time he actually took something of a break for himself. In his soul, he could feel Lucrezia walking alongside him, exploring their shared soul space.

"This isn't exactly a walk in the woods for me William, after that curse I could feel this place expand, after you are done with your tasks upside it would be best we both find out what's changing down here" Lucrezia wasn't feeling that good about this plan he sensed.

Along the way he was stopped by wandering Dragonkin curious about the lonely human walking about, he talked with the ones who came up to him and nodded to the few hunters who were on patrol.

"It is weird how this soul space of ours just expanded. you would think-" Lucrezia stopped talking and William felt pure dread rose from the woman "The scenery changed William, I'm on a field of...dried out trees as if a huge summer fire went through it, wait a minute why are you scared?"

William prayed to whatever god would listen to him and said

"The trees, describe them to me"

Lucrezia got the message, whatever was happening was bad enough to unnerve William.

"They look like fig trees" she said.

Fuck.

William had to sit down by a fork in the trail, his hands were shaking as Lucrezia spoke with him again.

"There's a clearing up ahead and...All-Father's balls there's a fucking dragon here William! wait a moment the bloody thing is in chains!" Lucrezia screamed to William.

"Is the dragon's scales in shades of magenta and cyan?" William asked with bated breath

Silence.

"You know what this is, don't you?" Lucrezia asked

"It is the representation of Saal'Xhir's blessing, that dragon was her first husband and love before she fell with Augorius's faction, they met in some forgotten universe if the book I read in the game was to be believed. Suffice to say the dragon died and that planted the seeds of rebellion in Saal'Xhir." William calmed himself by speaking "The chains are the aspect of Uumaries curse together with the ritual Karl made, Velkarius ever the smart Goddess she is, has tailored that ritual to take from Uumaries's curse and use it as a power source." He ran outta steam at the tail end of the sentence.

"Are you ok William? I can feel your emotions down here and it's like you are on the verge of having a panic attack. What's going on? Why is the dragon bad news?" She asked.

"It means we are eligible to a race change, we have enough favor with the Goddess to become part of her High Succubi rank."

Lucrezia took a deep breath and spoke with steel in her voice.

"Listen to me William, whatever happens, you have me and I have you, we will work through this shite and once we get to the capital everything will be resolved just as you said, you have the knowledge and I... I got the moral support since you got my name and money." She paused "Ok not helping here, moving on... We got this William, come what may we WILL see it through."

William felt numb, he was terrified of becoming something other than human, he knew the lore regarding the chosen of Saal'Xhir, and the thought of turning into one terrified him. He was barely coping with his current situation! not to say the fact he still felt horribly guilty for stealing Lucrezia's life the way he did.

"Come on, chin up Terran, we are here to gather favor with the Dragoness, we can talk about this later"  Lucrezia tried cheering him up.

"Later it is then" William whispered.

---

William cleaned the sweat from his browns as he looked upon the huge rocks he had lifted to form the dam together with many Dragonkin from the surrounding villages, a wizened Dragonkin with greyish scales called Brut was the Taskmaster for the whole endeavor.

William also had been part of a prank he knew was coming. when a young Dragonkin man asked if he wanted to "watch the river currents upstream" while his friends were barely holding themselves a few meters behind him in sheer glee. He knew the phrase meant a day of courtship much to Lucrezia's outrage and a bit of shame.

A weird feeling he thought, in the game, she was always going on about her good looks, and such boast was in his opinion, not an empty one.

She was beautiful after all.

Alas, it appeared Lucrezia had a bit of a confidence issue which William couldn't understand but could sympathize with it. He heard Brut call him from his elevated platform.

"Human! your help is most appreciated!" he shook William's hand "The other geomancer I usually work with doesn't wake up before the first roar of our brood mother. That lazy lizard likes her bedtime bleh" he said clearly smiling to himself "Now watch this human" Brut placed his hands on the ground and after sending enough mana to blow up a small town, cast the spell and created the dam.

"Honest work heals the soul" William said out loud, the old Dragonkin phrase had stuck with him thanks to the game.

Brut took a good look at him and smiled "Ayup that it does Human that it does" he took a pause while the others began bringing food and drinks to celebrate "It's thanks to the brood mother the younglings can live good lives like this one you know? she tired of war and we did too...Thank you, Human, for not demanding them to fight for you" he nodded and went off.

"I didn't know the Dragonkin fought for the All-Father as well, I thought it was only the dragons..." Lucrezia said feeling curious.

"Anyone can fight as long as they pledge themselves, few can get out on the other hand," William said, his mind going back to the lore of All-Father's first son and his rebellion. "Augurios went mad after seeing his people being slaughtered again and again for an eternal crusade. I wonder why not just tap out, the game lore never was clear on that front"

Lucrezia spoke up.

"Duty William, a God's Sphere shapes them as they shape it, the Mad God had a duty with upkeeping absolute order and he had to follow that to the very bitter end. An order that wasn't his but the All-Father's, makes you wonder if the anti-god faction isn't just a bunch of madmen and women trying to cause chaos..."

Ah yes, the anti-god faction. a group of individuals who wanted to break free from the Sphere of the All-Father, but how did you break free from Free Will itself? a question best left to another time William felt.

"It's not just one faction, they are made out of multiple sub-factions all varying in levels of ideology and fanatism, notice how the more extreme ones are always hunted down with extreme prejudice but the philosophers and professors are always spared and sometimes even encouraged by the church of the All-Father. It is as if he wants them to succeed" William spoke to Lucrezia who kept quiet for a while.

She eventually spoke "Under him and his Sphere"

William smiled, that was the catch and the reason the extremists always kept coming back, It wouldn't be true freedom in their minds, just a bigger leash.

"Under him indeed Lucrezia now let us go, this should be enough to talk with Kallista about the artifact" William got up and gave goodbyes to the people he had spoken while working, as he began making his way back to the trail leading to Kallista's cave he felt the wind sweep by him and a Dragonkin woman land on his side.

"Kallista" William bowed.

"Lady Lucrezia, I thank you for helping my people on this wonderful day. Brut's been bugging me for years about his stupid dam project... I've also heard about you helping out at the meditation site. Tell me Lucrezia, what do you want?"

William could see the Dragoness was suspicious of him but not enough to warrant a more stern response, he scratched his nose and decided to go for the honest direct approach, lying to Kallista felt wrong after the fact she fought by him in the castle after all.

"There's someone I must save in the capital, and I need your artifact for it" he spoke with as much honesty as he could muster.

The reaction happened in a blink of an eye, William saw the rage and anger flare in Kallista's eyes, she reigned herself in before asking.

"Very few know about that, fewer still when it comes to mortals. Pray, tell me how you found out about it" Kallista was still angry he felt, but she wasn't gonna escalate the situation thankfully.

"The Castle's library" A white lie, but one most would buy it, and by the look, Kallista gave him she brought it.

She turned into her Dragon form and spoke "Come" William hopped on her back and off they went to her cave.

The ride was uneventful, and that was saying something since William was riding on the back of a goddamn dragon, He could feel her muscles tensing and relaxing as she flew, the mana currents in the air singing to Kallista as she commanded them for with pinpoint efficiency. 

"This is amazing, you should enjoy it while you can William, rare is the day a human gets to ride a dragon you know?" William was happy at least someone was enjoying it, as for him all he could think about was how he would explain to Kallista the situation with the Arch-Duke's daughter.

They arrived in Kallista's home shortly after. It looked the same as before William found, a few Dragonkin were walking about doing tasks as Kallista landed and turned into her humanoid form, they bowed and went on doing their tasks as William followed the Dragoness deep into the mountain.

They were past the ritual room into the inner chambers of her home when William reached what looked like a study, it was so dusty he had to cast a spell to clean the place, which earned a look from Kallista of wonder.

"I rarely if ever come here, never was one for books or reading, to be honest. My brother was the smart one of the family we found out early, he's probably being a recluse in the capital's dungeon right now" there was an air of loneliness in her tone, William knew how much Kallista missed her brother Red Dragon Saark.

He had abandoned their home when she got expelled from it with her after all.

"Do you miss him?" William asked as he sat down on a chair next to the fireplace, the Dragoness didn't reply but walked behind the desk and pulled a safe from under it. Kallista slashed her hand with her talons and pressed on it, the safe opened with a pop and from it, the Dragoness removed a small white scale and placed it on the desk.

"I do Lucrezia, I do but the bloody recluse had the bright idea to breed with your Royalty and now plays this mysterious grandfather role of his in this little kingdom you are a part of, At least he comes over for my birthdays but still..."

William chuckled  and said "I sure hope dearest brother doesn't mind when I put a bullet through one of his descendent's children in a few months"

Kallista grinned "He won't, you mortals die all the time after all" she pushed the scale towards William "But heed this, Saark is bound by an oath of combat to his Dragonblood heirs, they can summon him for battle once every generation. And I would hate to have to fight my brother because Queen Malphas decided to come for your head here in the north"

William waved his hands "With that scale that won't happen, trust me"

Kallista gave William a hard look and said "You know these things aren't easy to come by yes? huh I guess you do judging by the look on your face" she rested her head in the chair and stared at the fire "they hate to use it you know? the other dragons I mean, there are even competitions for who can last the longest before having to clear themselves from the horrors of the Unending Conquest"

William nodded and Kallista kept talking "Brother was not much of a fighter, not like me or my parents but he did his time as all dragons are required to do. I couldn't be deployed together with him for a while and it broke me to hear the sheer amount of shit he went through." Kallista had a somber tone in her voice now, but William could pick the underlying hatred on it.

It was curious how little the game talked about these extra-dimensional wars, he knew countless Divinities and their Followers were a part of but it was all in grand strokes and accounts that were more propaganda than actual truth, to hear from someone who was in the frontlines herself was something he couldn't deny to be excited about.

"I hated after a while you know? Other Dragons saw me as weak but maybe that Firstborn of All-Father was right, this war of his is nothing but a slaughterhouse" she sighed "Gods barely out of their ascension dying by the hundreds like fodder to conquer worlds that wouldn't see a single sentient being walking on its lands, whole star systems being blown to smithereens to deny the enemy important resources"

William nodded "Brother lost his whole unit in an ambush on the last push for the core of some forgotten Universe, he wanted out and so did I, Anyone has the right to tap out, even dragons. But it is paramount of turning yourself into a social pariah and be shunned by your people forever" Kallista was angry but it was a muted sort of rage, like when you complain about something that you have no power to truly change.

"So we left, They never liked my promiscuous ways as well so the council had ample "evidence" to throw me out as a public menace to the Island. When we arrived here there was naught but Spirits and magical beasts, Brother went on to build his dungeon in what then became the Capital of Vermilion and I stayed in my mountain. The rest you already know" she waved her hand across the room.

"The one you must save is the Arch-Duke's daughter right?" Kallista asked.

"Yes" William said without hesitation.

"Saark told me about her situation, He didn't know who it was that did the deed but I guess with your revelation I can connect the dots, to think Malphas is covering for such a crime... Mothers huh?" Kallista picked the scale and got up, she walked towards William and placed it on his hands "Here, make sure the girl has ample water and food after you use it on her. I'll warn you Lucrezia, the feedback is strong and your mind and soul might not be ready for it, It would be wise to shore up on Necromancy whenever you can" Kallista said something that William already knew at this point.

"Thank you Kallista" he said while bowing.

"So how's civilian life being going for you these years?" William decided to change the topic to something more light-hearted, and the look on the Dragoness's eyes was all the confirmation he needed that she didn't mind that one bit.

"It is just wonderful, I have men and women from all over the world come visit me. My brood is happy and well-fed and my dominion knows only peace. It is my hope that with your reign they can also integrate themselves into the larger world" Kallista said while smiling.

"We would need to talk with her first you know" William replied with a grin.

"Ah yes, Mother... Brother had to petition for 3 days to get the rights for marriage with the first Dragonblood can you believe it? hmm... You are one smart human Lucrezia, got any ideas?" Kallista asked

William had one, and the one real way to someone who wasn't blessed by the All-Father to win a Blessing of the All-Mother which was exclusive to Dragons and their kin. Kallista agreeing to it, on the other hand now that could be complicated.

Hoping the Dragoness didn't get mighty suspicious of him William decided to shoot his shot.

"There is a way for those who aren't Dragons or Blessed by the All-Father to accrue her favors yes, I do not know if you ever heard of this but should a Dragon pray to her and with full honesty praise a person, no matter who or what they are, they will be blessed by her. It is not a guarantee however and given you have defected her island we might not have a chance at this" William spoke slowly and held his emotions by constantly channeling Ice Mana through his Mana channels. 

Kallista tapped her table with her scaly fingers "I've heard of it yes, Saark tried it when he first fell in love with his Wife" Kallista sighed deeply "I...I don't know if she will even give me the time of the day Lucrezia"

"Who Dares Wins" William gave Kallista the push and hoped it would work.

Another sigh from the Dragoness followed by a deep intake of air, she closed her eyes and William could feel the whole room shift as if a great pressure descended on it.

"If the Mother of Dragons herself comes down I will punch you the next time you come down here, William" Lucrezia said.

"What why! what did I do?!"

He didn't hear Lucrezia's reply, as the invisible force slammed into his chest, William nearly folded over himself but managed to remain sitting on the chair by slamming his feet on the ground and using the hidden iron plate in his boots to form spikes and ground himself to the floor. He felt the force permeate his entire being and hoped to god Lucrezia went to her hiding place.

As it moved he felt fire in his arms and legs, then it sat upon his back, the entire thing feeling like he was being roasted over the fire, after a few minutes of pain the force went away and the room shifted again, the pain and pressure went as if they were never there in the first place.

Kallista got up and grabbed a hidden bottle of some sort of liquid and a glass, pouring some for William, she walked to the boy and gave the glass to him saying "Here, drink this"

He did so and he managed to relax, the phantom pain going away as his mind focused inwards. William closed his eyes and for a moment all went still, he breathed deeply and exhaled. He was back to normal thank the lord.

"Fuck me, William Fuck me there's another symbol in the bloody Monolith! Dragon godsdamned wings made out of stars!" Lucrezia said in a panic.

"A Blessing in waiting, not unlike the curse of Uumaries, I head All-Father and All-Mother had the power to do it but it was rarely used since it can kill those of weak constitution. Can you feel it?" William tried to calm his friend.

"No, I feel nothing but its eagerness to release itself and...Yes, I can feel the blessing is counting down the time for the Blessing Ceremony. All-Father's balls how is this even possible?" Lucrezia asked.

"All-Mother is as powerful as the All-Father but is not one for displays of power as the All-Father is. Remember Lucrezia she is in charge of his entire army, every decision she takes has to take into account the many enemies they made over the eons of war" William felt Lucrezia calm herself as she digested his explanations.

"I get it, yeah Don't show your hand cause you never know who's watching. The terror beyond the stars is ever watching as the old saying goes, Incidently William, do you know if regular mortals and the immortal races like elves or vampires can join the war?" Lucrezia had finally calmed herself and William could feel this was one question she always wanted to ask.

"Not as they are no, there are several rituals and prep work that goes to join, it takes about 10 years for a regular human to join. It depends when it comes to the races if I remember correctly"

William could feel Lucrezia's approval of the answer, he was about to talk more but Kallista opened her eyes and spoke.

"Wow, she said yes...I don't know how or why Mom was never one to talk much even with the elders but she said you will be getting a Blessing, and after that my Brood can interact with the Duchy in peace"

"I'll make sure to let everyone know and they will be welcomed with a celebration Kallista" William got up and said, "Now, I really must get back to the castle, work never stops after a coup" he laughed as Kallista smiled.

The piles of paperwork he left stashed were a grim reminder of the more boring but important part of his duties.

---

Erwin and Sigrún were in the personal room of the Duchess, Sigrún was taken aback when she got in, expecting a more spoiled noble environment. Instead, she found something that reminded her of a very stern Knight Commander, a huge work desk filled with papers and books all neatly stacked, plaques with identification on each of them, and even a big square board filled with notes nailed on it and writings.

Lady Lucrezia worked and she worked smart.

The young woman in question was currently writhing in her bed, the moans and gasps betrayed the real reason for her current situation. As the first dosage of potions made by the Arch-Druid weaned off the effect of the Blessing was making its marks show. Sigrún could smell in the air, the very scent of Lucrezia betrayed a lust and desire so big it was a wonder the young woman was keeping it together at all!

"Was it the bloody dragon Sigrún? this aftershock IS not good, Master Gabriel already said if he ups the dosage she can get horrible ill"

Sigrún shook her head. While the Dragoness was known to act that way, there were no signs of any sexual activity in Lucrezia's aura. on the contrary, the young Duchess was bottling them harder than some of the Higher Succubi Sigrún knew from her days in the monastery when the fasting period was enacted every month. Which again spoke to her ironclad will.

"No Erwin the Dragoness has done nothing of it, this is and I'm sad to say it, what was meant to happen"

Saa'ryu was wiping Lucrezia from the sweat with a hardened expression, but it was Erwin who was getting emotional. Sigrún felt her lover's anguish and hurt as he watched Lucrezia's pain. Curious Sigrún thought, is he seeing her as a daughter perhaps?

Her mind went back to the last few days of their training the recruits, and how much he pushed her always teasing her to reach higher and higher and she kept meeting his demands time and time again, the smile of pride on his face and the subtle sadness in the man's eyes. How he always gave her tips and even let Lucrezia lead her own "squad" of Squires in a joint training session against him.

Sigrún felt another wave coming from Lucrezia, this one was a big one. So big in fact it sent smaller waves at her in warning, she sat down and clamped her arms to a chair in waiting. 10 seconds went by as she almost slipped her guard when the biggest wave yet slammed into her soul, so strong it was the temptations her wings unfolded in all its succubi splendor.

Erwin rushed to her side but she raised her hand, only someone like her could feel this. And more importantly, Sigrún was acting as an anchor to all that energy. Making it so it flew back to her soul instead of going haywire in the wild or coming back to Lucrezia. Sigrún sucked air as her cheeks grew flustered and her body went in a pleasant shock, she cast a small Miracle of Saal'Xhir and cleaned herself but not without Erwin noticing.

"She's getting better. Thank you Captain Sigrún and my apologies for making you suffer through this" Saa'ryu spoke, her voice filled with relief and her aura in peace. Sigrún smiled and said "This is nothing my dear, I'm just rusty and our Lady's blessing is a Greater One, something I've only dealt with twice back in the day at the monastery" Saa'ryu moved to speak but Sigrún raised her hand "Lady Lucrezia swore an Oath to us Knights and it is my duty to upheld my part of it, in any way I can"

Saa'ryu nodded and said "Still If you need anything don't hesitate to ask. I will get it done" she said as Sigrún got up and gave her goodbyes, Erwin following her.

"To think it was so strong it broke your spell, are you alright Sigrún?" he asked

"As I said Erwin, I'm rusty really. The last time I had that happen to me was years ago" she replied with a smile. Sigrún wasn't lying on that part "But I must confess dear, Lady Lucrezia is holding herself a bit too much, maybe we could talk with her later?" 

"What do you mean?" Erwin asked.

"I've seen how you treat her Erwin, and I know she reminds you of your daughter. Maybe we can see what is going on with her life? Lady Lucrezia doesn't seem like a purist fanatic from Uumaries. Given the fact she kicked that prude out of our lands after all" Sigrún laughed

Erwin was bewildered for a second before growing sad "I'm sorry Sigrún I didn't mean to-"

"It is ok dear, I understand" and she did, it had been a long while ever since the man lost his family and wife and it took months to bring Erwin back from the darkness and sorrow pit he was in. Sigrún loved him but she knew he was very much in grief still. And no Succubus magic would remove that from him, it would follow Erwin for his entire life and she would be the one on her side all the way.

He shook his head and said "Do you mean "the" talk? I uh, why not leave that for Saa'ryu? she's her most trusted confidant and everything..."

Sigrún Laughed as they made their way back to the Knights headquarters, on the way they saw the entire city moving as a single unit in the many construction sites that dotted the place. Sigrún sighed impressed, the sheer scale of it all always boggled her mind. Lady Lucrezia would drag the entire realm to a better tomorrow kicking and screaming, Flaying her sword and staff against the many enemies of hers.

"A true leader is someone who understands the lowest of work peons to the highest of generals" The phrase of her old monastery head ringed in her mind. Lady Lucrezia was shaping up to be one of those Sigrún believed.

"The maid won't do, trust me on this Erwin it has to be me and you, she already looks up to you as well you know? I saw it in training how she responds to you. It is no wonder those dad instincts of yours are flaring up so much" Sigrún said as they got into their office. Erwin sat on his chair and sighed as he pulled a bottle of strong spirit. Something he only drank when worried.

"It is that obvious huh?  Alright then I'll speak with her tomorrow and we can set a day outside of the training schedule." Erwin said after taking a swig "I hope you are right Sigrún"

The Half Succubus half Kitsune smiled at her love and said "Dear when it comes to these matters? I'm the foremost expert on it. Trust me"

---

William was studying the Monolith, All-Mother's wings pulsing with otherworldly power on it but muted, Lucrezia coughed to get his attention but he kept staring, she did it again and he didn't move an inch.

"You can't just ignore me, William, I'm right here you know" she spoke by his side "Look I really don't mind what happened yesterday ok?"

William sighed and sat on the ground "Really?"

She sat beside him "Yes! you dumb loaf of a man, It's not your fault William. I'm not dumb you know? I won't act unreasonably with you when it is clear to me and you this is beyond our capabilities to deal with it. Gods above you are even drinking those upgraded potions from the druid and they are a hair's breadth from being actual bloody poison. Look the point I'm trying to make here is that you should stop beating yourself over it ok?"

"It's just you know, It feels horrible even thinking of it. This is not my body" William said in anguish.

"You gonna have to accept the fact it is now William until we can fix this mess this body belongs to you as much as it belongs to me. Our souls have melded, after all, now I'm not asking you to just change your mindset right here and right now. I understand this will be incredibly difficult for you, but I will be here for you William, trust me on this, OK?" Lucrezia held his hand.

"What if this furthers the melding?" William asked her

"An issue for future us, right now we must deal with this Blessing of Saal'Xhir first and if that furthers the meld then at least you won't have death by orgasm mid-battle" Lucrezia said while looking at the dead trees on the horizon.

William couldn't help but laugh out loud "That would be a rotten way to go wouldn't it?"

"And the Wulfgrem name would be forever tainted, so yes Rotten way to go indeed" Lucrezia replied with a smile "You think a new forest will be added with the All-Mother's blessing?" she asked trying to change the subject.

"Yes, it will take some time before it manifests but I'm sure of it. the same for any other gods we get blessed by, and when the seal is gone those fig trees will bloom back to life" William pointed to them "The dragon on the other hand will go away as we fully embrace Saal'Xhir's blessing into our soul"

"How do you know all of this?" Lucrezia asked.

"Necromancy in the game had loads of fluff text, some talking about how the Blessings change one's soul. I'm assuming this will also happen with us even if your situation is...Unique, a common example is liches who can via the Unbroken's blessings shape their own soul to give them something akin to our soul space. A very high-level technique that marks one as a true lich"

Lucrezia nodded and sighed, laying her head on the soft grass "To think we are now Blessed by the All-Mother herself, what an honor this is. You know we can know travel to their island? by law the elders can't refuse our right since she gave us her mark, Gods imagine the food there..." She salivated "We gotta go there William, you hear me we gotta go"

William laughed and said "After the academy is done sure, we can go"

The two spent some time speaking, telling tales of their lives to one another as the sun went down and the soul space was engulfed in the twilight, William didn't notice but both he and Lucrezia had ended up taking a nap in the grass. Which stayed warm even after the sun went away.

Time to go back to the waking world he thought.

---

In the Imperial palace city of Lahathar, a great storm poured rain across its enchanted stones and soldiers guarding it. It was the season of storms and anyone on duty rotation came with spells and gear ready for it.

Lighting strikes turned the night sky into light as a single priest with a hood walked towards the main wing where the Emperor and Empress resided, he commanded respect as every guard who saw him snapped to attention like a fresh recruit sent to boot camp in the Imperium's military. Some saluted as well and it was clear to anyone here this priest was important.

The great halls were filled with magic items and artwork from renowned artists of the empire, statues, pillars, and all manner of jewels and metals for a display of power and wealth, but also culture and sophistication. For Imperium's tastes that is, any other country would find it gaudy and vain.

The priest opened a set of double doors alone as every soldier in the throne room kneeled as he walked to the Empress who was currently alone on the throne, the Emperor had already gone to his quarters.

The priest spoke "O Empress Ryna'0 I bring forth a message from our patron God"

She nodded and he continued "Deep in the north of our ancient enemy Vermilion lies one I shall bless. It is my command that my Empire aid her when the time comes"

Ryna'o eyes narrowed, The Nameless blessing one of those pumpkins? All-Father above every time she had the night shift on the throne something had to happen! Last time it was the flying Dire pigs now this bullshit, with a sigh she nodded and the priest continued.

"Lucrezia Sommer Wulfgrem, Duchess of Wulfgrem is to be blessed by the Silent Soldier!" He announced as a lightning strike hit the dome above them.

Ryna'o felt the chills creeping up, that welp had killed her parents for the throne. nevermind that they were the scum of the land and worked with the terror beyond the stars, Vermilion had harsh laws for kin slaying and she had been cursed by that horrible Goddess Uumaries, and yet reports were that the Duchy was on the rise with workers moving at speeds few can match in the new world.

The Empress saw a perfect in against the ancient Enemy, but alas she wasn't one for war. Gods knew the times were the Imperium black ships were feared all over and those times were over. She was more concerned with dealing with the internal actors trying to steal her throne and her husband's and those guns she heard about could prove the perfect deterrence against the snakes in court.

"By my command as Empress: Ready the first and second legion for the aid of this new ally of us, for the Silent Soldier and the Imperium!"

The priest bowed and smiled as he walked to deliver the good news. Those legions were made of Paladins and soldiers devout to the Silent Soldier, the perfect weapon to help expand his reach into the new world.

It took a few days for the storm to pass for long enough for the fleets to ready themselves, 10 huge dark ships full to the brim with soldiers ready for the order to come, and for the war that would show their cousins in the new world what happens when someone dares fight against the might of the Imperium and those it has blessed.

---

Deep into the north of the Imperium, the ancient raiders that eventually became the Wulfgrem clan still raided the coasts and ports of that part of the world. Many a time the Imperium dispatched their navy to stop the raiders but those hardy folk were nigh unstoppable, every race under the sun was part of the many raider clans that lived in islands far off the coast of the Imperium and they all worshipped the same God Chou’Xin.

Chou’Xin was a minor God of War who constantly dodged the punishment of being made a Fallen God by his Imperium divine brethren via truces and deals, While he loved to raid he also knew that being made a Fallen God wasn't worth the massive downsides of such a title, this year was the start of such a truce and his followers were all back to their islands living off the spoils and making marry amongst themselves.

On the biggest island of Skalgari there was a huge stone temple built for him, and his single High Priest was deep in prayer when he heard a whisper just behind his ears "Send my best Warriors to Vermilion, for our brothers and sisters require aid there, and let them know that Lucrezia Sommer Wulfgrem, last heir of the Wulfgrem clan is to be my blessed"

The high priest bolted from the floor. To think he would e the one to finally fulfill the prophecy that was told ages ago that said the finest of Chou’Xin would aid their long-lost brethren in the new world. Ushering a new age for its people!

The High Priest ran up the stairs and picked the single horn made for when the time of the prophecy was to happen, channeling divine energy he blew it as hard as he could and every island heard its call. Every Jarl and their Raiders knew it was time.

Time to finally go to a good war.