Chapter 518: That Powerful and That Old
Added 2021-08-18 23:01:00 +0000 UTCLiara, Vesper and the thus-far silent Trenchant Moore were sitting across from Jason and his team in an Adventure Society conference room. Liara tapped a folder on the table in front of her.
“The reason the society gave me so much leeway with the contract you all just completed was that it was part of a wider test program. This monster surge is unlike anything that has come before. You're all aware of the specifics, so I won't waste time repeating what you already know. The Adventure Society had been trying out new approaches to handle new problems. One of those problems is the safety of the more remote fortress towns. They've been exposed and under-supplied to a greater degree than anticipated.”
“Our contract was a test for a potential response?” Humphrey asked.
“Exactly,” Liara said. “The Adventure Society is increasing the resource allocation to the outlying regions but things are tight on every front. Our use of those resources needs to be as efficient as possible. The idea is to take some of the less-critical guild teams and the more capable independent teams and send them out on similar contracts. Some were already sent out before you even returned, and the early results are very positive. More reliable supply routes. Fortress towns burning through fewer resources with their active defences. We’ve even managed to take out a few Purity adherents, although we’ve lost people to them as well.”
“We didn’t encounter any during our contract,” Jason said. “To be honest, I’m a little disappointed. You weren’t following me again were you, Liara?”
“I was not. You have your team, now.”
“This is all very gratifying,” Humphrey said, “but I don’t think you called us in here to tell us we did a good job.”
“Your team is unusual,” Liara said. “Multiple portal or teleport powers, plus multiple, personal storage spaces. We want you to specialise in this kind of contract. We want to deploy you all over the Storm Kingdom so you have as many portal destinations as possible. Not only will this allow you to provide emergency supplies when regular supply runs fall short but you will be available for rapid-response to Builder activity. Given your aptitude in this area, Mr Asano, we want you at the forefront. Your team also has more experience than most at facing the Builder and winning.”
“We are at the disposal of the Adventure Society,” Humphrey said.
“Good,” Liara said. “This leaves us with the other topic for today’s meeting.”
She leaned back in her chair, looking to Vesper at her side.
“The political aspect,” Vesper said. “I'm sure you've explained everything to your team so, instead of rehashing details, I'll move directly on to what comes next. Despite everything going on, social gatherings continue to be a part of Rimaros high society. These are not just indulgences of the privileged but important events that allow the powerful players of the kingdom to settle high-level affairs.”
“And you need me to parade around,” Jason said.
“Yes,” Vesper said. “The real power brokers won’t be taken in by our little charade, but the families to which they belong are the tools they use for negotiation. And to the noble houses, leverage and reputation is everything. The games must be played in the front rooms so the work can be done in the back. If the Irios family looks too weak, they have to divert resources from what they should be doing to protect themselves. I don't have to explain why that is undesirable, especially now.”
“Can’t they just ignore the people nipping at their heels until the monster surge is over?” Neil asked.
“No,” Jason said. “If they get attacked and refuse to defend themselves, things just get worse faster.”
Vesper nodded at Jason appreciatively.
“Just so,” she said. “If they do not stand up for themselves, their detractors would only become emboldened and push harder and my family can only go so far to protect them. My family rule this kingdom, but we do not rule alone. The aristocratic houses form a delicate balance of forces that need to be managed. If we show too much favouritism, even now, it weakens us, which weakens the kingdom.”
“You don’t need to sell me on the reasons, Princess Vesper,” Jason said. “I told you I’m in and I rarely make an alliance specifically to murder all the people in it.”
“I wanted to get you in front of people following the expedition we went on together, but you’ve been away. We’re going to make it happen before you head out on another contract, and we need to get you ready for that. Etiquette. Dancing, general decorum. I have no doubt that you’ll go ahead and break the rules, but you should at least take the time to learn them first.”
“So, you and I will be spending some time together,” Jason said.
“There is still a monster surge happening,” Humphrey said. “I don't want this taking too much time away from our Adventure Society duties.”
“Which is why we are starting right now,” Vesper said. “You need to come with me, Mr Asano.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Vesper closed her eyes as she pressed her lips thinly together, managing to hold back a response. She got up, turned off the privacy screen and left. Jason waggled his eyebrows at his team as he got up and followed her out.
“She really doesn’t like him,” Neil said.
“Yep,” Belinda agreed.
“Think they’re going to…?”
“Definitely,” Belinda said. “They’re going to break a bed. Maybe even a wall.”
“That is a princess of the realm,” Humphrey admonished. “At least do her the respect of voicing those opinions behind closed doors.”
He turned to Liara and the still-silent Trenchant Moore.
“I apologise for the lack of decorum on the part of my team members,” he said. “They’re mostly thieves and hooligans.”
***
The Purity enclave was underground in a cave system filled with luminescent crystals with a subterranean river. It had long ago been worked from natural stone into a temple and dormitory, in preparation for the days now at hand.
The Purity church’s Order of Redeeming Light had been making preparations in the Storm Kingdom for many years. When other wings of the church had grown impatient and revealed their hands early, it had brought about the public downfall of the church. Only the most diligent orders within the church, with the stomach for patience and the faith for obedience were left to carry out the mission that would turn recent history on its head and bring purification to the world.
For some orders, their task was to bring forth an army of pure beings to cleanse the filth from the world. The Order of Redeeming Light had another purpose. Theirs was to take that which was unclean and purify it, forging weapons redeemed from an unclean world.
Melody Jain was the leader of the enclave and her second in command, Sendira, was midway through reporting what their scouts had discovered. The order was largely comprised of holy warriors, but they also had a priest to serve as advisor and connection to the god. Their priest was a human named Laront, who was as young as his handsome face suggested, his silver rank not yet needed to stave off the ageing process.
“The Adventure Society is increasing their activity in the outlying reaches. They know we are out here and that we are acting. We should prepare to move before they understand why.”
Melody nodded.
“Agreed. Make preparations, but we must choose our moment well. Something is coming from the north that will draw all the attention away from us.”
“May I ask what is coming?”
“Our Lord has warned me of the unclean ally moving one of his great forces south,” the priest said. “The Storm Kingdom has angered it and it wished to make an example.”
“That is when we make our move,” Melody said.
“And what of Asano? Do we still need to capture him before we kill him for the ally?”
“No,” Melody said. “I wanted him captured so I could use him to lure my daughter here. Our informants in Rimaros have told us that she is here. Now, we can be reunited and she can be cleansed.”
“And if she is unwilling?”
“It does not matter,” Melody said. “I was unwilling, yet now I am pure. She can be forgiven her ignorance, once we have burned it out of her. I was once forced to leave my child behind and now my family shall be reunited.”
***
Liara and Trenchant were making their way back to the royal sky island, sitting opposite one another in a flying carriage.
“I’m concerned about Vesper,” Liara said. “She is being far too easily riled by Asano and his companions. They have the passion of youth but they’re children. She shouldn’t be letting them throw her off balance and I’m unsure why she is.”
“Her highness, Princess Vesper, has always held more administrative ambitions,” Trenchant explained. “Her adventuring has always been sporadic, only undertaken to advance her rank. It was never a calling. Monster surges are normally quiet, politically, so these have been the times she most actively pursues advancement.”
“You’re suggesting she’s upset because the politics is keeping her from going out and ranking up?”
“No,” Trenchant said. “My point is that Vesper is not like you and I. Her world is a political one where appearance is substance and trust goes only as far as mutual interest. When she adventured, her teams were fleeting and assembled from those whose ambitions were not centred on the mission. She has never experienced a team whose camaraderie was forged in fire, the ways ours were.”
“The way Asano’s was,” Liara said.
“Yes,” Trenchant said. “Asano’s aura may be a closed book to us, but you felt the others. You sensed the bond they have. The trust that comes from pulling each other back from the bloody edge. Not just them, either.”
“Farrah Hurin.”
“I don’t know everything they have been through,” Trenchant said, “but it gave her the passion and the loyalty to march into a royal palace to tear strips off a diamond-ranker. It’s brash and foolish, but also formidable.”
“You admire them.”
“Yes. I am a weapon of politicians but I do not care for politics. It is far too often the enemy of integrity. Asano and his team are young and foolish but they are adventurers to the bone. Vesper knows that. Her silver rank isn’t enough to read their auras but she’s felt the loyalty they have. The willingness to go all the way to the wall for someone doesn’t fit her world of compromise and benefits and it unnerves her.”
“Why?”
“Because she instinctively understands that they are willing to go further than she is. They flaunt it because they understand that Asano is not stable right now and are very protective of him. There is something inherently intimidating about absolute commitment. It’s part of what makes zealots such troubling enemies.”
“And politicians always leave room for compromise and always leave a way out.”
“I have seen exceptions, but they didn't tend to be all that successful as politicians. To an adventurer, absolute commitment to your team is a strength. To a politician, that rigidity is a weakness. But Vesper is being forced to accept Asano and his people on their terms. This is not a good situation for her.”
“Asano is not an enemy we want in the future,” Liara said. “Antagonising him now is not good for us.”
“No, but we must also look to the needs of today, which is where Vesper excels. Unfortunately, she is being told no at every turn. The other major problem she faces is that she’s been instructed to play her own game, but by someone else’s rules.”
“How so?”
“Out of Asano’s circle, only Humphrey Geller and Rufus Remore are people she should even be aware of. Even then, only peripherally. They’re a group of silver-rankers, far from home and the central bases of their power. Yet they are moving in circles with gold and diamond-rankers. Higher still, if you consider some of what we've only surmised about Asano and Farrah Hurin. The hierarchy of rank is a central pillar of political interaction, yet Asano disregards it entirely. More importantly, his Ancestral Majesty supports him in this."
“I never really thought about that,” Liara said. “I’ve mostly been dealing with him from an Adventure Society perspective, which Asano seems to respect. The political side is very different.”
"Asano is clearly used to dealing with authorities more powerful than himself. He doesn't like how that has gone in the past and has resolved to not let himself be pushed down. This conflicts with Vesper both directly and ideologically, yet his Ancestral Majesty's wishes force her to capitulate to Asano and his erratic whims. In some ways, your ancestor is using Princess Vesper as a tool more than he is Asano. When you are that powerful and that old, perhaps that is how you come to see the people around you.”
“What should I do about Vesper?”
“Support her,” Trenchant advised. “Make sure she understands that she isn’t isolated and there are people on her side. Otherwise, she’ll end up like Asano: brittle, sharp and lashing out at any hand reaching out to her.”
***
In the outer reaches of Rimaros, the windmill-like storm accumulators drained magic from the Sea of Storm's eponymous weather events to both shield the city and help power its infrastructure. A small flying vessel passed over the line of accumulators on its passage towards the city. It had the signature industrial iron look of the Builder's vessels and was being escorted by Zila Rimaros. Soramir Rimaros has sensed their approach and rapidly arrived to intercept, arriving on a floating cloud that sparkled with gold and silver light.
“What is this?” he asked of Zila.
“It emerged from the underwater city while I was monitoring it and approached me," Zila said. “Nothing onboard is stronger than silver-rank. It poses no threat.”
Their powerful senses could easily penetrate the vessel, which was crewed by constructs. Only one living thing was aboard; a silver-rank cultist.
“He’s claimed peaceful passage as an envoy to the Storm Kingdom,” Zila said. “He wishes to speak with someone who can represent the Storm Kingdom.”
“You were not enough?”
“I thought it would be best to defer to you, in this.”
“And what does he want? What does the Builder want?”
The cultist emerged onto the deck wearing plain, hooded grey robes. It held no fear, even in the face of diamond-rankers. They could sense not just a willingness, but an expectation of death.
“I am a herald of war,” he said. “I come with a message. A declaration.”
“Let us hear it, then,” Soramir told him.
“Your kingdom was offered escape from my master's intentions, and you rejected his goodwill. As a result, your kingdom will pay the price. He is no longer just coming for your astral spaces. He shall despoil your lands and massacre your people. He is the Builder, but all your works shall be unmade, Soramir Rimaros. Everything you have built shall be rendered unto dust.”
“Is that it? Soramir asked. “That’s the whole message?”
“It is. You may kill me now, for my task is done.”
“Why bother. Go back and tell your master he could have just sent a note.”
Soramir turned around and shot back toward the city.
Comments
“Why bother?” Gotta get that guy a badge that says “Only alive because I’m not even worth killing” that he can wear to all of the Builder Cult potluck dinners Brilliant work @shirt! Love the story!
Dave Kase
2021-09-09 00:57:59 +0000 UTCAfter reading the comments, I just want to throw mine in the ring: People judge the characters too hard. All of them. The characters are just people. Hating them because they inconvenienced Jason is .... Very human, I guess. But it does the characters (and Shirts story, by extension) a disservice. In this arc, there are a number of folks who cause Jason problems. None of them actually wish him ill. Let's look at the royals. Soramir: Everyone is beneath him. It's not evil, it's just the way an ancient and powerful being is. He's actually quite decent for all that. Vesper: She doesn't care about Jason and treats him as a recalcitrant game piece. She's a princess and a politician, so that's totally expected. Doesn't make her evil. Liara: She's messed a few things up, but she actively tries to be decent and forthright. Being a princess makes her assume things that she shouldn't assume, sometimes. Not a crime. Zara: Even before we saw her remorse, it was clear that she didn't have any ill intentions for Jason. Her ploy could never have been expected to harm Jason or his compatriots. Just some "young and dumb" going on. Somehow, every one of these folks has gotten death threats. I know it's the internet, but be the change you wish to see!
mistermerf
2021-09-08 23:51:36 +0000 UTCLoved Lindy's repartee.... "Think they’re going to…?” “Definitely,” Belinda said. “They’re going to break a bed. Maybe even a wall.”
Bert Babb
2021-09-02 21:16:21 +0000 UTCIs there any chance we can stop having all these conversations of "Jason is a dangerous enemy to have" talks several times a week? I swear it's difficult to go 3 chapters without someone talking about not wanting to piss off Jason.
2021-08-20 14:27:18 +0000 UTCI’m guessing yes, and I think Jason is gonna be the one to kill the Diamond-rank mecha dragon. I’m guessing it’s an amalgamation with an unstable soul, and he manages to kill it with great difficulty by taking advantage of that fact.
James Faulkner
2021-08-20 05:15:39 +0000 UTCThat was a lie. The first flashback was about Gary during the period that volume II took place in. You'll have to wait for the return of Vladwick.
Shirtaloon
2021-08-19 21:44:20 +0000 UTCHey shirt I'm curious about something. You said the volume 3 interludes would start with a Thadwick flashback. Have we seen the last of our favorite crapbag or does he still have a part to play. What was the flashback even about. His new existence as an energy vampire or his life before Jason?
mhaj58
2021-08-19 20:47:48 +0000 UTCOr he sent the herald to lure both diamond rankers away from the underwater city to sneak some of his sneaky people out of it for shenanigan
DicedOnions
2021-08-19 19:19:25 +0000 UTCPoor Soramir, surrounded by the Humphrey types he so admires but does not quite live up to himself, and now when he is trying to set up Jason and Vesper by making Jasons protective instincts trigger over Vespers treatment they go and try to make her feel better and less alone. Perhaps im juat building up Soramir in my head, but there are so many details pointing to him beeing who someone like Jason or danielle would become as diamond rank. Trench did not spot his lie regarding Jason inadvertantly detecting Zila, rather than him intentionally revealing himself but it still bugs him he did not even manage to hide despite this but he is prideful enough to lie about it. But he does not shoot the messenger. His entire kingdom is somewhat meritocratic and has been promoting skills and heroes for a long time. The guild team was heroes first, the director of the adventure society refused him outright as a matter of principle and that does not happen without a lasting and strengthened founding legacy. , He commands all of a single servant, and is willing to humble himself. He dreams of his days of adventure as much as anything.
Midjji
2021-08-19 10:12:39 +0000 UTCI hate the very concept of hate sex. Please don't do this.
Buzz1089
2021-08-19 09:20:10 +0000 UTCI agree. I think trying to be decent and then being consistent about it would be a far better strategy than whatever the fuck Soramir is doing. Soramir's judgement being taken as truth in universe simply because he is a diamond and their ruler irks me. There is a fair bit of difference between being suspiciously giving and making you wonder when the hammer will fall and just doing your job without stepping extra hard on someone you promised to help in return for their sacrifices.
Adurna
2021-08-19 07:48:03 +0000 UTC"Otherwise, you become like Asano. Lashing out at any hand reaching out to you." That was a great line. But I hated it. That is the complete opposite of what Asano has been doing, and with the surprising political intelligence Moore displays here, I'd have thought he'd understand that. He's been lashing out at the fists pummeling him down for literal years now. The first ounce of human decency he received from people in power, which was Liara's compromise, had him agree to do something he was psyching himself up to flat out refuse. That is a broken man, craving just an ounce of basic human kindness, while thoroughly crushing anything that might be harmful.
Ethan
2021-08-19 06:09:58 +0000 UTCOne what? One princess? I think you mean the inside of his soul, but the only way to get in there is to trust Jason completely or your own soul won’t let you enter. Which they most definitely do NOT. Besides I’m sure brutalizing a member of the royal family is not the solution to this problem.
Hayden Leech
2021-08-19 05:02:44 +0000 UTCJust lure one into his Spriit domain, play GOD, then kick them out. That should solve all his political problems
Silver Beard
2021-08-19 04:29:22 +0000 UTCIt's not because she's a woman, if that's what you're thinking. The fact that every character to receive this kind of reception has been female is just a quirky coincidence and definitely not indicative of larger trends in online culture.
Shirtaloon
2021-08-19 04:10:23 +0000 UTCHey shirt, I’m not sure if you’ve caught it because your readers have been pretty subtle about the whole thing. But I think I might have noticed, perhaps a tiny hint of dislike towards Princess Vesper. Maybe.
Hayden Leech
2021-08-19 03:53:02 +0000 UTCSo, will we get Soul Attack guy by the end of the week? Depends on if the political training takes multiple chapters.
Luke Scheffe
2021-08-19 03:08:24 +0000 UTCTo produce a celestine being a celestine is not enough?
Simon
2021-08-19 03:07:42 +0000 UTCIt’s supposed to be politically quiet because The Adventure Society practically takes over the global infrastructure AND those in power reinforce a global culture around mutual survival during the surges. Political maneuvering appears to be largely minimized through multiple practices of those in power.
Matt
2021-08-19 02:46:21 +0000 UTCShe no Knowledge, but “she’ll do in a pinch.” #Ja/Know
Robert Nugent
2021-08-19 02:40:50 +0000 UTCVesper is a garbage person and doesn't deserve Jason. I really hope they don't sleep together. Jason can do WAY better than her. Edit: maybe garbage person is a little harsh but I just haven't really seen her show any care or empathy to anyone. All she cares about is her own political agenda. I don't even get the feeling that she cares about the regular people who would be hurt by this political issue going bad. Just that she was put in charge of it so if it goes bad it's on her and her personal standing would fall.
Buzz1089
2021-08-19 02:34:25 +0000 UTCHe’s definitely been pushing the envelope.
Robert Nugent
2021-08-19 02:21:49 +0000 UTC“Think they’re going to…?” “Definitely,” Belinda said. “They’re going to break a bed. Maybe even a wall.” Belinda is such a horn dog. Jory is a lucky man.
Robert Nugent
2021-08-19 01:44:34 +0000 UTCHow hard would it be to play a “long con” on a god?
Tanner Lovelace
2021-08-19 01:43:59 +0000 UTCWouldn't the Builder specifically sending a large force to destroy the area Jason's in be considered a breach of the agree he made? It's like saying oh I'll use a nuke to destroy this guys city because they irritated me, whoops would you look at that I killed the guy I wasn't suppose to because he just happen to be in the area I knew he would be in!
Dylan Oliver
2021-08-19 01:43:47 +0000 UTCIs this how she uses her one intervention?
Robert Nugent
2021-08-19 01:38:46 +0000 UTCMelody is described as a human with white hair and dark skin. To produce a Celestine she has to be an outworlder. We know there is one other outworlder in Rimaros. Is it her?
Robert Nugent
2021-08-19 01:34:50 +0000 UTCI mean this chapter more explained how Vesper is potentially in a similar state and why she acts the way she does, while the last time it happed was was more about framing the way the storm king was trying to work with/manipulate him despite this state. Your right that it has been harped on but at least there is purpose and it is not the focus.
Joel Sasmad
2021-08-19 01:13:15 +0000 UTCThat’s a very low bar for foreplay. I mean it’s basically just one interaction that’s not obviously hostile. Followed by a few that are.
Hayden Leech
2021-08-19 01:13:12 +0000 UTCNot personal political gain, she acts as a representative of her faction and this arena is where she thrives. Her political goals are whatever benefits the Royal house, of which she is a prominent member. Currently that is resolving the tension between House Irios and the royal Family stirred up by Princess Zara calling off the pre-arranged marriage by claiming she eloped with a mysterious dead man who is no longer dead.
Hayden Leech
2021-08-19 01:08:24 +0000 UTCDamn bastards who steal Sophie’s mother!!
Kenneth Darlin
2021-08-19 01:08:17 +0000 UTC“Her adventuring has always been sporadic, only undertaken to advance her rank. It was never a calling. Monster surges are normally quiet, politically, so these have been the times she most actively pursues advancement.” I had to re-read this several times to get it. How does a Princess advance politically? She isn’t going to be queen. She’s already powerful. I don’t understand her personal political goals. I’ve always thought this “political” story line seemed contrived and much ado about nothing. Just make the two kids get married and move on. I’m hoping the ball will give us a little more insight into what the political problem actually is.
Robert Nugent
2021-08-19 00:59:32 +0000 UTCWhy bother. That's what I was hoping for lol.
Josh Teague
2021-08-19 00:58:04 +0000 UTCAnger and frustration on both sides, building up without release until eventually boiling over into emotionally fueled hate sex? Yeah I can see it. I’m hoping that we see a less awful side of Vesper while she is teaching him how to dance and navigate the Rimaros court next chapter. If she is going to be something like an SO for your main character (and that seems to be the direction you’re taking her) it would probably be best if she wasn’t intensely disliked by over 90% of the fan base.
Hayden Leech
2021-08-19 00:55:19 +0000 UTCThe more we learn about Vesper, the more I like her. Jason needs a good frenemy.
Robert Nugent
2021-08-19 00:47:54 +0000 UTCmaybe im in the minority, but i thought that was just the common belief. from the moment it was mentioned that the founder was a worshipper of a god and he set up the magic funnel between worlds i figured it was a purity worshipper as part of they deal with the builder
2021-08-19 00:45:51 +0000 UTCTechnically he carries a domain in a bottle with him
Scout Mills
2021-08-19 00:37:18 +0000 UTCI second this plan!
Scout Mills
2021-08-19 00:35:35 +0000 UTCI'm looking forward to Jason's first Domain on this side of the pond.
WanderingArchitect
2021-08-19 00:29:50 +0000 UTCThank you!
Andrew
2021-08-19 00:24:11 +0000 UTCI know that’s how Sophie’s build was setup to begin with, but somehow I don’t think she’s an even matchup to Jason at this point. He not only outclasses her in combat experience due to the Earth arc but also has a suite of powers that elevate him beyond standard silver (aura control + sword, etc). If 3 perfectly built Purity adherents struggle to put him down I doubt Sophie will be able to do much, even with her skills.
James Faulkner
2021-08-19 00:23:56 +0000 UTCShirt, I love these books, so please take this criticism in the spirit it is intended: in almost every chapter for the past two weeks, we have had some exposition in which we are told how important Jason is, how unstable he is, and how much his team means to him. You've done such a great job showing us that these things are true, so it feels rather superfluous that you are now telling us repeatedly that they are true. A little less exposition please.
Heedless
2021-08-19 00:23:16 +0000 UTCShe is personally dangerous to characters we care about. She’s Darth Vader without the black mask and TIE fighter.
Robert Nugent
2021-08-19 00:23:12 +0000 UTCYeah, do they vett these people at all?
Robert Nugent
2021-08-19 00:21:37 +0000 UTCIt’s possible that I’m either really late to the game on this or completely wrong, but does anyone else think that maybe the outfielder who made the grid on Earth along with guiding the network was an adherent of Purity and that’s why Noreth eventually killed him? I’ve been rereading the series and during the Earth arc there was specifically a mention that the outworlder in question became an adherent of a god before returning to Earth
James Faulkner
2021-08-19 00:21:22 +0000 UTCChocolate skin, silver hair, dating Humphrey…
Robert Nugent
2021-08-19 00:20:56 +0000 UTCHave we seen Melody's Daughter yet?
Hugh Mungus
2021-08-19 00:19:28 +0000 UTCThe other Great Astral Entities really did a piss poor job of selecting the replacement builder, didn't they?
Jon
2021-08-19 00:08:37 +0000 UTCSophie “Skywalker” Wexler. “Come over to the Darkside my daughter.” I wonder if Melody breathes funny. And can we get James Earl Jones for the audible version?
Robert Nugent
2021-08-18 23:58:10 +0000 UTCwe've already established that politics (and theater/music too) is far less developed in their world than in ours. like the stanislavski method was effective on rufus
Etia
2021-08-18 23:52:49 +0000 UTC“Vesper nodded at Jason appreciatively.“. Bow chicka bow wow! This is foreplay in HWFWM.
Robert Nugent
2021-08-18 23:50:16 +0000 UTCGood chapter! I have to say though, these monster surges should be recognized as the most political event in years, with all the nobles home protecting their cities. I'm surprised there aren't more parties and meetings. This perfect time to arrange a marriage or political ties, so I'm not sure why monster surges are "politically quiet"
Vindico
2021-08-18 23:50:15 +0000 UTCHmm. So was Melody implanted with one of those Purity tagged Star Seeds, or is she playing some kind of incredibly long con on the Purity cult?
Anon
2021-08-18 23:47:57 +0000 UTCThis felt like a monty python skit😂 at the end
Azuolas Korsakas
2021-08-18 23:46:36 +0000 UTCShe’s gonna go through some things.
Robert Nugent
2021-08-18 23:45:44 +0000 UTCsee I was right, even Jason's team feels he and Vesper are going to bang like a drum solo in a death metal concert...I almost feel bad for Vesper but then I came to my senses... The builder is soooo petty wow...talk about some someone giving off 'lil bitch' energy. He could have attacked without the declaration but no he had to say words that people would have to listen too for something that was obvious to even children...he's very insecure! I'm sure even purity is thinking what the actual fuck is wrong with this all powerful man-child-entity-thingy...I mean purity has not even deigned to deal with mortals directly...
TerrestrialOverlord
2021-08-18 23:41:24 +0000 UTCMelody is scarier than the builder. The builder is powerful but ultimately a cosmic level Thadwick. He constantly sees the seeds of his own demise. Melody though is scary in a more ‘don’t mess with crazy’ kinda way. I really hope we get to see some villain monologue vs biscuit banter with her.
mockery jones
2021-08-18 23:39:23 +0000 UTCI know what you're going with her, Shirt. I still don't like her. I don't care if she gets a redemption arc or if she's doing it for all the right reasons.
ReadingObsessed
2021-08-18 23:34:56 +0000 UTC^THIS
James Faulkner
2021-08-18 23:34:16 +0000 UTC“It does not matter,” Melody said. “I was unwilling, yet now I am pure. She can be forgiven her ignorance, once we have burned it out of her. I was once forced to leave my child behind and now my family shall be reunited.” Oh Carp! Sophie has basically been fine tuned to be the anti-Jason. Being a nice guy, Jason “created” his own downfall. Can you see Sophie set up to fight Jason head to head and what that does to the team dynamics. “Sorry Hump, I had to kill your GF. She was mind controlled.” Talk about making a sacrifice. It explains the sudden emergence of #Sophrey. Shirt, you devious bastard.
Robert Nugent
2021-08-18 23:34:14 +0000 UTCIt amazes me the amount of times people actively trying to manipulate and screw Jason over talk about how they are "Helping" and he's Lashing out. If you AHoles were being Decent Humans Jason wouldn't be as messed up in the head as he is. Please stop Helping.
LeapoldJKLOL
2021-08-18 23:30:55 +0000 UTC"Her world is a political one where appearance is substance"-- pretty bad way to start a couple paragraphs defending how easily riled up the politician of the royal family is, she's a shit politician if she can't keep a straight face for more than five minutes.
Gardor
2021-08-18 23:29:35 +0000 UTCI think I remember this, the name Melody Jain has been grating on my memories. Marta Fries was her friend and we see her flee through the hidden exit that she says hasn't been used since her friend Melody fakes her own death. It's on the interlude and Sophie is banging on her door trying to get info about her mum
Thomas Todd
2021-08-18 23:24:09 +0000 UTCRight? Kind of terrifying when you know the story behind it.
Hayden Leech
2021-08-18 23:23:43 +0000 UTCDeath has come
j0ntsa
2021-08-18 23:23:34 +0000 UTC“They’re mostly thieves and hooligans.” that floored me 😂 also is there a description of Melody when we first saw her? I would say she's definitely Sophie's mom but this may be too obvious
CentaureHeart
2021-08-18 23:23:00 +0000 UTCI’m betting Melody is Sophie’s mother.
Psykohamster
2021-08-18 23:21:36 +0000 UTC“I told you I’m in and I rarely make an alliance specifically to murder all the people in it.” actual banger line
Ranzbart
2021-08-18 23:20:16 +0000 UTCAcknowledging the protective aspect of the team, foreshadowing Sophie and Melody, a social party; wonder how these events will converge... /s
Bryce
2021-08-18 23:19:27 +0000 UTCLooks like Dawn is about to give the world a demonstration
Russell Widger
2021-08-18 23:18:23 +0000 UTCSounds like Sophie has a tough time coming.
2021-08-18 23:16:39 +0000 UTCWell we got the plot progression, all hell is about to break out!!!!
Auldmanhal
2021-08-18 23:16:19 +0000 UTCI think I remember this, the name Melody Jain has been grating on my memories. Marta Fries was her friend and we see her flee through the hidden exit that she says hasn't been used since her friend Melody fakes her own death
Thomas Todd
2021-08-18 23:15:41 +0000 UTCThanks for the chapter
Alexander Dupree
2021-08-18 23:14:40 +0000 UTCOh shit I just realized Melody is Sophie’s mom. I think we got her first name back when Sophie was digging into her past with Humphrey and Neil, but Constance kept warning them away? This makes me think that the Order of the Reaper might have some links to the Order of Redeeming Light
James Faulkner
2021-08-18 23:13:58 +0000 UTCIf this builder is anything like the last, I'm seeing why and how he was killed. Besides making his own private realities of course.
Seadrake
2021-08-18 23:13:55 +0000 UTCI'm guessing Sophie
Max Thomas
2021-08-18 23:12:28 +0000 UTCBuilder is such a spiteful loser
2021-08-18 23:12:27 +0000 UTCThanks for the chapter :) The Builder really is petty, isn't it?
Alsia
2021-08-18 23:11:00 +0000 UTCWho is her daughter?! Is it Sophie or Belinda? Or someone else I'm completely missing
Thomas Todd
2021-08-18 23:10:45 +0000 UTCDamn Soramir. You fucking tell 'em.
Qrystof
2021-08-18 23:08:58 +0000 UTCThanks Shirt!
2021-08-18 23:02:01 +0000 UTCBiscuits
CptJimmy
2021-08-18 23:01:14 +0000 UTCFirst
LEMON
2021-08-18 23:01:13 +0000 UTC
