The Calling of Wrath - Chapter 24 - Escape and Meeting
Added 2022-07-28 00:39:45 +0000 UTC Cassandra
Year 819 | Month 1 | Day 16
One of the two monsters looks just like the vethrokin queen I had seen before, with no differences between now and then. Except maybe that it looks less clean, likely due to living in the Dark Forest now as opposed to wherever it was before being released.
Meanwhile, the other one looks like a much larger version of those dark hellionites. Instead of being the size of a dog, it’s more comparable to the sizes of the direwolves in the forest. It has the same magma-like eyes, with an impure, coal-like skin filled with glowing red cracks.
Although unlike the other dark hellionites, this one has what looks like small amounts of magma leaking from its claws and dripping down from its mouth.
When I identify the creature, it just tells me that it’s the dark hellionites’ alpha. Which also makes me wonder if-
My thoughts are cut off as the alpha lets out a loud and sinister sounding throaty howl. Not even five seconds later, dozens of similar howls begin to echo through the forest, with many of them getting closer and closer to our location.
I look between the two higher Tier monsters before looking at the Tier 1 vethrokin already beginning to back up their queen, and then at the sounds of howling coming from the distance.
As interesting as this is to watch, I should probably make my exit…
With that thought in mind, I dive back underwater before carefully swimming away so as to not make too much noise.
Because I still remember how the vethrokin are attracted to either sound or movement. Although judging by the fact that the vethrokin couldn’t find me in the water even before I stopped moving, I’m guessing it’s probably sound.
It honestly would have been nice if I could have just stayed still and let the vethrokin rush past me, but the likelihood that at least one of that hoard wouldn’t have accidentally bumped into me or noticed me was pretty damn low. Considering how they were charging straight at me.
I come back up for air twice before eventually reaching the other end of the pond and surfacing for the last time.
When I look back at the monsters again, I find them all still fighting, except with quite a few dark hellionites added into the brawl.
Meanwhile, the two higher Tier monsters… are just plain frightening to watch.
Before this whole Initialization thing, I probably would’ve never guessed that there were other creatures as powerful as this, with the exception of the sacred beasts which are for the most part quite a bit stronger than this.
Just those two’s fight alone is tearing up the entire clearing and upending entire trees, but with the rest of their groups added in, it’s practically a full on battlefield.
My eyes suddenly widen as I notice the fire from the hellionites spreading from some of the downed trees to the trees surrounding the battle.
Oh shit.
That’s not good.
Right as I’m wondering just how badly a forest fire will affect the Dark Forest, my jaw drops open at the sight of dozens of vines, along with other branches from nearby trees beginning to swat at the fires, putting them out completely before they can spread very far.
Uh, what?
I stare at the sight for several seconds before closing my mouth again and shaking my head.
Guess that would explain why there’s never been any noticeable forest fires in the Dark Forest before.
But what’s doing it?
Some sort of monster guarding the Dark Forest or something? Or maybe just some sort of natural defense of the forest?
I watch the vines and branches force back the fire for a little bit before turning around and getting out of the water.
Either way, looks like I don’t have to worry about a forest fire any time soon.
With that thought in mind, I slowly begin to make my way away from the monsters’ brawl and back in the direction of my cave, all while soaking wet.
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Within the Executive Meeting Hall of the Steel Republic
“It would appear that the New Earth Alliance has managed to subjugate the local duchy closest to the World Tree Vein located on the Liathtria continent,” the High Commander of the Steel Republic states into the silence of the meeting hall. “It is of my opinion, along with the various Commanders of the Steel Republic’s military that we launch an assault to take the duchy away from them.”
Only a few seconds pass in silence before the current Chairman of the Steel Republic’s Legislative side shakes his head and says, “That’s impossible.”
The High Commander glares at the man, only for the Chairman to continue, “If we were to do that, then not only would we be outing that the Vein is there if they don’t already know about it, but if they do know, then we would be telling them that we know about it.”
One of the various seats on the Council speaks up after the Chairman finishes, “And that’s not even considering the likelihood that those bastards might use the locals as shields during their defense!”
A few of the Commanders show a change at the possibility, and the High Commander notices it.
“Then what do you propose we do?” he asks with a frown towards the Chairman.
The man frowns before glancing at the ten Commanders seated on either side of the High Commander, around the center table.
“Before we get to that,” the Chairman begins while leaning forwards onto the table, “how would you all describe the locals of the origin plane?”
Several of the Commanders share looks between themselves before one of them – Commander Silver – speaks up, “The locals on the continent Ardene live disgusting lives under their king’s leadership.”
A couple of the other Commanders look towards the man out of curiosity, including the man known by Cassandra as Leo.
“The Ardene king completely supports slavery and crime as long as he can benefit from it, and that mentality has poisoned the people there, making the nobility believe that these sorts of things are perfectly fine,” the Commander continues with a look of disgust on his face.
After he finishes, another Commander – Commander Frost – adds in his own two cents, “The continent of Aulta isn’t much better than what Commander Silver just described, but they’re a much more meritocratic society, with the talent and individual strength of their people mattering a more than any bloodline ever could.”
“Hmm,” the Chairman hums before turning to look at Leo and stating, “Commander Ashton, I’ve been told that you were the one who found the World Tree Vein located on Liathtria. What are your thoughts on that continent?”
Leo turns to look at the man, then at the various Commanders looking at him and says, “The royal family of Liathtria rules their continent with a much more laxed control than the others and are of a better mindset as well. They don’t participate in corruption – that I could find anyways – and they tend to only interrupt disputes between nobles when it’s necessary.”
Aside from a couple of Commanders who had already scouted the continent, the majority of the executives present look surprised at his words. And the surprise only grows as the man continues speaking, “Not only that, but their royal family is generally rather open with their people, wishing for a much more relaxed life outside of politics. I’ve even heard that two of the king’s children – Prince Rodrick and Princess Cassandra – have both openly expressed their lack of interest in the throne, leaving it completely to their eldest brother.”
The High Commander suddenly interjects, “But what about the common people? How do they feel about their royal family?”
Leo turns to look at the man, only for a different Commander to beat him to answering the question, “The people of Liathtria feel very comfortable with their royal family. Comfortable enough that the kingdom didn’t even have to draft their citizens to help fight off the other invaders, because many of them were already signing up to assist the kingdom’s knights of their own accord only a week after the Initialization of their plane.”
Both the High Commander and the Chairman’s eyes widen slightly at that before they share a glance and nod.
“In that case, we should proceed as carefully as possible to keep from causing unneeded casualties among the Liathtrian people,” the Chairman says, to which most of the executives surrounding the table – both military Commanders and Council seats alike – voice their agreement. “But first we should take half an hour to discuss amongst ourselves what we should do from here.”
He then looks at the High Commander, who simply nods his head and shouts, “Dismissed.”
Almost as soon as he says that, the various executives begin to get out of their seats and form smaller groups to discuss the topic.
Meanwhile, Leo finds himself surrounded by several of the other Commanders who are all curious about his time on the Liathtria continent.
“I heard you met an interesting local?” Commander Silver mentions, his usually cold face showing a hint of interest.
Leo – otherwise known as Leon Ashton – glances at him before chuckling and saying, “Yeah, interesting is certainly one way to describe her.”
Commander Fox’s eyes flash interest as he hears his words before he asks, “They were a girl? What were they-”
The High Commander – who had been approaching the group – states, “This time is to discuss our actions moving forward. Not to discuss a single local.”
However, even the High Commander’s eyes show a faint hint of interest in them despite his words.
“Yes, sir!” the many Commanders declare before getting down to business.
Meanwhile, Leo thinks to himself with a faint smile, ‘I wonder how the girl is doing now?’
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