Chapter 26: Chap. 22 : Silence of the Wolf

Zoemie crashed on her couch, Xajymzia coming behind her, her somewhat heavier-than-usual steps betraying her annoyance. The maid had a few questions, but there was a particularly big one on her mind. "What is a duke ?", she asked, her charge surprised by the question.

"A noble title. I think. Not sure how high it is.", Zoemie answered. "You'd have to ask Neth, she could probably tell you the exact hierarchy.", she continued, Xajymzia cocking her head to the side.

"Noble ?", the maid asked, Zoemie raising an eyebrow in confusion, before sighing. Xajymzia had no idea how human realms and human politics worked. The word for her brought a certain type of moral character, one that she would apply to Zoemie, but certainly not to that Vosvelz. Was he once noble ?

"Alright, so, I... know jack shit about the politics of this world, but at least from Earth history..." Zoemie took in a breath. "Keep in mind I'm not an expert or even good at this... Most nations in history were monarchies. Grossly speaking, you have a single HMIC, the "king", or "queen" if it's a chick, who rules the country."

Both Warden and maid had sat down as the former monologued. "The nobles constitutes the nobility, the aristocrats. Their job... I'm not actually sure what it is, but according to a thing Neth once told me it's... administrative duties ? I think ? They have a bunch of fancy titles, though, like "earl", "baron" or "marquis"."

Xajymzia took the information in. Administrative duties ? Her people had never needed such things before, but maybe it was a numbers thing ? There seemed to be a lot more humans than of her people, at any rate. "Nobility and royalty are hereditary – it comes from parent to kid, I think from father to eldest son, but don't quote me on that." So it has nothing to do with their moral character.

Xajymzia considered for a while. "So this Vosvelz man may be on personal terms with the monarch ?" She asked to confirm, as she didn't like this. If the monarch was persuaded by this Vosvelz to send troops here, it might end up being a serious issue, as there was a very real risk of them simply overwhelming the place with numbers like the first time around.

"Maybe. There's only one thing we know about the bastard for sure, is that he's greedy and corrupt." Zoemie said. "At any rate, he has no probs associating with criminals and slavers, and for that alone he's on my "kill on sight" list. Thing here, we don't know where he is, and judging by the chick's comments he's a massive coward." Definitely unworthy of being called noble, Xajymzia thought.

"What do you want to do ?" Xajymzia asked. The incertitude made her uneasy. She would have to prepare in case this Vosvelz man managed to convince the monarch to go after her charge. She didn't know how many resources a monarch had at their disposal, but judging by the three adventurer's tools ? It was bound to be significant.

"...Nothing. I could seek out the bastard, but I have zero info about him. Plus, he was looking for them, which makes me think he didn't know what they were trying to do." Zoemie sighed. "Frankly, it sounds like too much work to deal with the fucker, I don't wanna bother.". Xajymzia nodded, as she added an extra task to her list.

---

When Saeja exited the forest, the first thing she heard were the sighs of relief from the guards. "What's the situation, miss ?" one of them asked, younger than her judging by the voice, the other looking over them and seemingly happy about their state of "alive and well".

"Not sure we can tell ya." said Ruvarie. "For now, we're returnin' to town and meetin' up with the governor." she continued. The three loaded into the carriage and started going back, Saeja thinking about the events as she absentmindedly watched the landscape through the sides. "How are we gonna do this ?" Ruvarie whispered to her quietly.

"...I'm not sure." Saeja answered in a similar tone of voice. I hope I don't have to deal with the Warden again. Still, all three of us are alive and well. Probably the best outcome. She sighed in relief, a bit of tension bleeding off her shoulders.

The trio spent most of the journey in silence, ruminating the events at the dungeon, only interrupted by their arrival within town. They promptly descended and met up with the governor, the fellow equal parts pleased and anxious at their swift return. They could have waited tomorrow, but all three of them wanted this annoying request to be over.

"First, I am glad you returned well.", the governor said, the guard captain present in the room like before. "I assume there will not be a monster attack this time ?" The three adventurers shook their head. "Excellent news.", he said, tension audibly leaving his voice. "I'd love to hear your report, but... something came up you may be interested in. Jorkreng ?"

The guard captain rolled his brown mustache. "Aye. We sleuthed out how the lasses learned about the dungeon." he started. "We found traces of drugs within a clerk's hair, and we managed to get from him that she took him out for a drink beforehand. Poor lad was terrified, but nothin's gonna happen to him." Disgusting, Saeja thought.

She nodded, and closed her eyes, thinking about her approach. "Alright." She decided to start by the most important first. "The Warden killed them." The two men looked at her, and closed their eyes, mulling it over. "They showed up at the dungeon, tried to break into it, and attempted to enslave the Warden as well."

"Wait, enslave ?", the governor asked, raising an eyebrow. Duchess Zajera's opinion on slave collars was known to be strongly negative, and although he, governor Selwuf, had forbidden it in his town, he had no strong opinion on it either way. He was content to have his little town chug along quietly and not cause too much trouble, and slavery ? It just sounded like trouble. Apparently, the sole reason it wasn't banned duchy-wise is because these were too useful for the harvest season in the larger cities.

Saeja simply pulled out the burned-out collar from her item ring, and the... "photos" as well, showing them to the governor. "Criminal brands... Well, I'll be smote." the captain muttered. "What were they tryin' to do in that dungeon anyway ?", he asked, looking at the women.

"Corpse disposal, I think.", Ruvarie answered. "They were trying to... erm... negotiate with the Warden, to use the dungeon for "waste disposal." And by "negotiate", I mean "threaten and attempt to enslave", but that's Vosvelz's people for ya.", she continued, the two men's expressions darkening.

There was quiet for a while, the two men talking at eachother in a low voice. Meanwhile, Saeja took in the decor, while Tarac was casting more analysis spells and Ruvarie was resting her eyes. To be fair, these chairs are comfortable. The Warden's were better, but they were a bit hard to enjoy when an Apocalypse-level threat stared you down.

Saeja had to admit she liked the governor's sense of taste. It was a simple, rustic elegance, of a man who clearly didn't have spare a lot of money for personal ends. Much better than the gaudy excesses of most nobles. Vosvelz was slightly less so, but that was simply an effect of the man's greed making him unwilling to spend on needless decoration.

She did note the small painting of a blue-haired woman's face, however. That's a bogwood frame, she noticed, finding it charming. If I had a painting or "photo" of her, I would frame it in abonos too. Saeja decided to stare at the desk, trying to not sadden herself.

"...Alright." said the governor after a while. "I... We'll be keeping these items for now. I... would appreciate if you did me a favor, however.", the governor said, and looked at Tarac. "Can you enchant those items so thay they are teleported to you in case something happens to me ?"

Tarac smiled. "Indeed, sir. That is most certainly within my capabilities." He kind of wished he could have kept the "photos", but had expected this outcome. Maybe I can duplicate one. Both he and his sister would likely spend many a nights figuring how these things were made... "In fact, I had a similar idea, but held off onto it."

Saeja raised an eyebrow at Tarac's comment. Of course, both parties knew why the governor had made this request. Blackmail, she thought. Or insurance, as he would call it. ...I do wish I was a fly on that wall, so I may watch him squirm. Tarac casted magic from his fingertips, the three items receiving their enchantment with no resistance.

Saeja nodded, trying not to let out how pleased she was by this development. She wasn't much one for this, normally, but... she did have to admit she took some twisted pleasure out of getting power over the duke. Which promptly made a part of her shiver in disgust. "If there is no more, we shall leave for the time being.", she said as the adventurers stood up. Saeja bowed slightly, and with the governor's nod the three teleported away.

---

"Good lads, these.", Jorkreng said, governor Selwuf nodding with him. He was a ball of nerves, but that was to be expected. He was barely a noble, who only got the position because barely anyone else in town was literate, as is too often the case. Explains why many of my fellows are such... unpleasant people.

Meanwhile, Vosvelz was a duke. He rubbed elbows with royalty ! Selwuf may as well have been a commoner in comparison. "Jorkreng. Can you go fetch his runner ?", he asked, the captain nodding in turn. He put the evidence in a small compartment in his desk, while his reliable captain left. At least this will be over soon.

His dear wife had been worried sick for him, and frankly he didn't blame her. Getting involved with high nobility was always trouble. They had rules and rituals that he didn't know, and a mistep could quickly spell extreme trouble.

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He wasn't too worried about potential armed retaliation from Vosvelz – he was fairly deep in Zajera territory, but the man expected results and nothing else. It didn't take long for the runner to come again, obviously displeased by the quality of his stay here. Not that Selwuf could do much about it – they didn't have the means out there.

He put the communication crystal and its holder on the table, and left the room without a word. Selwuf took a deep breath, looking at the crystal. These were hideously expensive, but thankfully he had an idea how to use them. He sent in a first impulse of mana, weakly as to not damage the priceless item, and waited.

Not for long, as the crystal rose and lit up, the Duke's face appeared on it. "I wanted results." he said. His face was intimidating, dark eyes piercing straight into a man's soul. But Selwuf wasn't too afraid of the Duke, now.

"I have them, sir." answered Selwuf, the high noble's dour face barely changing expressions. He was maybe slightly less displeased, but that was it. "After investigating in town, we managed to confirm their whereabouts for a night. After further investigations, we have recovered some of their belongings", he continued, getting more nervous.

It is time. He took a breath, to compose himself, and opened the small compartment, pulling out the evidence. The Duke stared at the items, his face much the same, although Selwuf could see he was gritting his teeth. He eventually stared at the governor, and spoke. "What do you want ?", he asked.

"Your silence, for my silence.", Selwuf answered, a lot more calmly that he actually was. The duke's face... maybe not lightened, but he didn't ponder the offer for long, clearly willing to take the deal. Urgh, Selwuf thought. Backroom deals. He was kind of glad he was in the kind of situation he didn't have to do many of these, but it was still not something enjoyed.

"You have it.", the duke said, spitting it out only a little. Alright, we're in the clear. Selwuf's plan had been simple. While he could have attempted to extort or blackmail the duke, such strategy seemed unwise, so he had decided to stick to a simple trade that required the duke to do nothing particular and notably not spend any money.

"A group of adventurers hunting a bandit found a dungeon within the Seaguard Greatwoods." The duke raised an eyebrow. "Its Warden stronger than the Bleeding Hands, they did not attempt to conquer it." The duke started gritting his teeth again. "However, the Warden is willing to leave the country be as long as we do not bother them.", he explained, the duke's face darkening.

"A trusted runner of mine confirmed the dungeon existed.", Selwuf said. "After running out of leads in town, I recalled these adventurers and asked them to investigate the Warden, as they were the only beings to have entered the dungeon and survived, and I could not afford to take any risks or delays." The duke seemed slightly pleased by this last sentence.

"Your adventurers, according to testimony, entered the dungeon. They attempted to enslave the Warden, and when that failed kill them. The Warden killed them in return.", he continued, the Duke's face darkening again as he took in the governor's words.

"Seemingly, they wished to use the dungeon for "waste disposal.". The Warden gave these items to the adventurers I sent, who gave them to me, albeit with an enchantment that will teleport the items back to them in case I am injured or slain. And I fear that is all I know."

"That is sufficient." answered the duke, staring at him still. "Give the crystal back to my runner." he said, "and I hope we hear no more of this." The crystal went dull, Selwuf putting it back in the holder. He stood up, and gave it back to the runner, before the man excused himself.

Selwuf took a breath, his arms and legs shaking. What to do now ? He considered, and left the room, going for a walk. His dear wife caught him in the way, however and wrapped her arm around his. "How did it go ?" she asked, worry visible within her voice.

"...It went. The duke is satisfied, and as long as I don't die things should be alright." His wife nodded at him. "Shall we go for a walk ? I could use a change of pace." His wife smiled and led the way, Selwuf appreciating her soothing company.

---

Duke Vosvelz snarled as he put the crystal down back in its holder. These were expensive, after all – he had been lucky that enchanter had those gambling debts. She was far more useful with those talents rather than as a simple streetwalker. It took everything within him to not slam the desk in rage, only remembering its cost calmed him down from doing so.

Instead, he rose up from his seat, and started pacing. This was one of the worse possible outcomes. It was an unexpected outcome. He had expected maybe a fight with other adventurers, maybe a poisoning of some kind, or death in a monster or maybe even Apocalypse attack. But a Warden with this level of power ? That was a threat.

His noble pride screamed at him to have that dungeon conquered and Warden executed, but... if the adventurers were right, that was close to impossible. His secretive side called for a similar course of action, as he didn't know whether the Warden knew of him, and to dispose of the governor too, as he had leverage against him.

He did not blame Qareva for her decisions – he would have greatly appreciated having a enslaved Warden for reliable corpse disposal and untrackable monster "attacks". And if she had failed, conquering a dungeon was still worthwhile. Her career had been stagnating – she had gotten overambitious and careless. A mistake I would do well to not replicate.

Vosvelz considered the situation under multiple angles, but ultimately decided to listen to his most reliable sense. His business sense. What is the cheapest and most profitable option ? And here the answer to him was blatant. Do nothing. He would not have to spend money organizing an extermination force – and if the dungeon was a recent change, which it seemed, it was unlikely to contain rare treasures.

While the governor had strong leverage over him, he asked no payment or bribery from him. While the duke would have expected such a thing from any noble worth their salt, the lack of monetary request from the governor made Vosvelz slightly more willing to leave well enough alone, if only because any replacement might not be so easy to placate.

Moreover, the nature of the enchantment meant that as long as he did nothing to the governor, the adventurers couldn't snitch to Zajera reliably. He would have to start integrating this enchantment within his own deals, as well. That was a sickeningly clever idea as insurance, especially now that he had a reliable enchanter at his disposal.

If he did nothing, he took no risks of retaliation from the Warden. He would not have to have his men pay heavy tolls in Zajera lands, or have to pay compensations for the dead. He could betray the governor and tell Zajera about the dungeon, but there was a large risk, as she was not likely to trust him.

Knowing the woman, she would seek out more information, and if Zajera knew all the facts, she was likely to go against him instead of with him. Partial deception, by experience, was rarely the most reliable tool at his disposal. When the facts gets in the way, arrange yourself so you don't need to rely on them.

Relying on the crown, meanwhile, seemed also unlikely to succeed, and the brat would likely dislike being called to solve what was essentially a petty dispute. While the crown might want to know about the dungeon, ultimately the royal family didn't have a lot more options than Vosvelz did.

Since Bleeding-Hands was likely to fail conquering the dungeon, the best option they had was paying the Demon Realm for their general's services, but with the poor relationship between the countries that was likely to fail, or cost an amount that both he and the crown would consider excessive.

He disliked kneeling to people because they were more martially capable than him, but here it was the smartest decision. Attempting to attack the Warden could get him into trouble – not only from Duchess Zajera, but maybe even the crown. That brat would confront me over knowingly attacking a neutral entity.

And while as a Duke he wasn't easy to remove from power, time was money, and time spent in this type of dealings wasn't time attending to his interests. He did, however, consider reinforcing the defenses on the southern border. Not just for the Warden, but also in case of Zajera. He was dubious the two would work together, however.

As he replayed the conversation within his mind, thinking about his course of actions, he came to realize something. That collar was burned out. A scenario of the fight played within his mind. Qareva attempted to trump card her way out of the negotiation or battle with the collar. However, it failed, and it was forced on her, then damaged.

A forced smile appeared on his lips as he realized he, in fact, had the answer to his original question about Qareva's properties. I remember Qareva mentioning she had a sister. He would have to have the woman contacted and informed.

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