Chapter 461

A/N This chapter is an Epilog type chapter. With the first book being published I have started to plan a bit more towards clearly separating out the novels. Next chapter should return towards the usual type on Friday.

In Gryndor’s Capital.

“What’s going on?” The crown prince asked, wondering why his father had summoned him. 

“Your brother is on his way back, something big must have happened.” King Gryndor replied as he took a look at all the official correspondence that covered his desk. Nobles from the Empire, the Republic, Sylvanthal and even Brightstone had reached out. “Whatever happened he didn’t share so it isn’t imminent and it will take a while to talk about.” 

“You think the Empire might be imploding?” the crown prince asked. 

“No.” King Gryndor denied it. “He might be a stubborn bigot but the emperor was a true talent in our generation. He’ll outlive me for sure and it won’t be close. He still has time to let his children grow before he has to pass on the crown.” 

“So it’s Ajax then.” the prince said with a resigned sigh.

“It’s a bit early to…” the king started but let out a similar sigh. “Most likely, it's something to do with Ajax.” 

The prince went to the cabinet in the corner of the room and pulled out two crystal glasses and one bottle before taking a seat opposite his father and pouring both of them a drink. “I swear that kid took half a century from us, the amount of work he causes…” 

“The situation may be delicate but at least it’s in our favor.” the king said as he accepted his glass and picked out a few specific letters and offered them to his son. “Your position as king will be a lot better than the one I was in when I put on the crown.” 

In the Imperial palace.

“So, something happened as he entered the final floor?” The emperor asked as he looked towards his two children, grandchildren and Clark the champion who was there to witness it.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Clark confirmed. “He seemed surprised when I entered the floor before he got lost in thought. Most telling however was his Aura, it was very unstable. Whatever he was feeling must have been pretty strong to unbalance him like that. Not only that but…” 

“But what?” The emperor’s own ever present Aura lost its usual benevolence and pressed down on the people present. The Aura was barely an inconvenience to Solderon and Zilfallon and Clark’s own Aura was close in strength to the emperors, the same could not be said for Sandor and Denisa who felt suffocated. 

“His Aura was different, despite it being weaker than my own it somehow made me feel… inferior.” Clark admitted. 

“Should we go after him?” Zilfallon asked.

“No point.” the emperor waved his hand in dismissal as he regained control over his emotions. “They left in a hurry two days ago as soon as the Duke exited the dungeon. They’ll be at the border in hours.” 

“We need to play nice, Gryndor is our only chance to remain relevant in the newest generation.” Solderon was used to dealing with his fathers more unstable emotions, he knew they were a side effect of his combat skills so he paid them no mind and focused on providing the best counsel he could. “They’ll also be looking to expand towards the Wild Lands. We won’t have to worry about a war with them unless we start it.” 

“Zilfallon, take Sandor and Denisa.” the emperor said. “The three of you will be in charge of ensuring our personal forces are not only adapting well to the surge of power present in the new generation but that they also remain loyal. Solderon come with me, we must ensure the rest of the nobility doesn’t start getting ideas.” 

In Sylvanthal’s capital.

“Father!” Arianwyn opened the door to her father’s private office to find both the king and Aranor in deep discussion. 

“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” the king as he looked towards his daughter. 

“Something’s happened in the Empire.” Arianwyn said with a hint of worry.

“Do we know what?” The king was also concerned as he knew that Ajax was there at the moment and anything related to him could shift the balance of power.

“The spy’s couldn’t find out anything but the Gryndor’s people departed in a hurry the moment Ajax exited the dungeon...” Arianwyn trailed off as she considered sharing her own thoughts on the matter. “I am also pretty sure that it was after he cleared what would have been his 150th floor.” 

A bit of simple math was enough for Arianwyn to put that conjecture together. While she had never been privy to the specifics of the floors Ajax had cleared she had spent enough time with him delving and knew how far he had pushed in before the tournament that it was easy to piece everything together.

“That is interesting.” Aranor nodded as he considered her words. “You’re still a long way off reaching that point, you’ll have time to ask questions about that when you visit Gryndor in a few months, until then don’t push your level any higher, you want to get as much out of the dungeons you’ll be delving as you can.” 

“We should also have our ambassador in Gryndor sent a gift to Ajax’s duchy.” The king said with a laugh as he looked at the latest letter sent by Queen Swiftleaf. “His delving expedition solved all of our money problems, Deepwood is more than willing to pay to ensure their own future nobles have the stats to measure up to their peers.” 

Inside the council chamber in the Rupublic

“We should charge them for passage.” one of the eight councilors pressed. “Most of the nobles will have to send their offsprings through our lands to get to the other kingdoms, this is golden opportunity for us.” 

“We’ll only be inciting them to war.” Archduke Goldenmouth didn’t raise his voice yet everyone heard his words. “We’ve not even had peace last for a century, I say we push them for more favorable deals in regards to our own people. The more we can send to delve the better.” 

“Do we have any news about what happened in the Empire?” Shadow asked, startling a few of the councilors who had forgotten about his presence. “Do we know the reason for their rushed departure?” 

“There was supposedly something that happened to do with Ajax’s Aura.” one of the councilors said as he rifled through the reports. Being the only kingdom with equal representation among the four races their spy network had the widest reach being able to infiltrate easier.

“The boy has an Aura?” the first councilor exclaimed. “He’s not even twenty five years old! You should check your sources.” 

“You’d do well to check reports besides those that concern the economy.” Shadow growled his limited tolerance towards the councilman’s lack of competency. “Darkclaw reported that Ajax unleashed his Aura back in Deepwood and that it has been gaining more and more control over it as he continues to delve.” 

“What do you think we should do?” Goldenmouth asked Shadow.

“Abandon any short term investments we have.” Shadow said. “There is no way we can get through changes this vast without someone starting another war. Focus on getting our people ready and prepare some longer term investments. However this next war turns out there will be a long peace that follows it.” 

In Brightstone’s capital

“I hereby strip you of your title and of your position.” King Bronzebeard’s words echoed in the ears of everyone present. “Furthermore I punish you, sober. For ten whole years you’re not to touch a drop of ale. Guards get him out of my sight.” 

Some of the nobles present winced sympathetically at the final part of the punishment yet nobody was inclined to say a word in the defence of the ambassador. He had foolishly turned down the offered Ajax had made that could have given one of their people the chance to delve not only Sylvanthal’s dungeons but also Deepwoods. Brightstone was now behind both Sylvanthal and the Republic whose young talents had managed to secure one or even two spots along with Ajax.

“Your Highness.” the advisor leaned over to whisper in the king’s ear. “We’ve gotten word that Duke Hearthbound seems to have taken an interest in mining in his lands. It’s the perfect opportunity for us to make amends for spurning his generous offer.” 

“Ensure some quality mining gear is sent.” King Bronzebeard nodded. “It’s a good thing that king Gryndor isn’t petty, he’s offering us a similar deal to the Republic.” 

“There are five spots in the upcoming delving expedition.” King Bronzebeard announced to the court at large. “An open tournament shall be held in a month's time with the winner getting one of the spots!” 

Out in the Wild Lands

“To think that the little whelp has not only outgrown the gauntlet so quickly but that he also managed to evolve.” the dragon’s voice rumbled as it looked over another gauntlet that looked identical to Ajax’s. “He’s now able to form an equal bond with the ascended races.” 

“Rrrghhh” the small dragon next to her growled.

“No little one, you’re far too young to form a bond.” the dragon chuckled as it growled back. “We do need to go back, word that a humanoid has evolved should be spread.”