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>>42276949

You immediately pull the door open to see Ali standing confidently across from you. “Mostly thanks to my work.”

“I’m sure.” She smiles slightly. Her face is completely clean and composed, very unlike how you left her. Only a thin reddish-purple line remains under her eye. “There are some things I want to talk to you about. May I come in?”

You step aside and wave her in. “Are you having fun on your assignment?”

She smiles coyly and walks in. “In my own way.” She stops suddenly when she sees Izu asleep on the bed.

Her skeptical expression immediately reminds you of her cautionary words, but it’s not like you could keep Izu out of your business, even if you wanted to.

“He’s asleep.” You assure her, while not knowing yourself just how much good that does for privacy.

She sighs. “I suppose you can’t kick him out in his condition.” She peers over his bandaged body. “And it’s far too busy out there to find a better place to speak.” She sits on the edge of the bed and simply observes the room in silence.

Not letting her strange pause annoy you, you set to putting away your belonging neatly.

Ali stands up and then leans against the large wardrobe and watches as you put away garments of clothing.

“You said you had something you wanted to talk about?” You remind her in the most neutral tone you can muster.

She places her hand on her chest. “Oh, I’m sorry. It’s only that I’ve been playing a rather reserved and traumatized character these past few weeks.” She shakes her head apologetically. “Let me start by asking, why did you choose this room in particular?” She gives yet another cursory glance to your quarters. “There are larger and more elegant rooms more suited for your high ranking position. Why not choose them?”

[2/3]*

>>42276990

You set down a piece of clothing inside a cabinet. There isn’t a real ulterior motive as to why you selected this room in particular, you only acted on deeply rooted curiosity. But whether she’s asking simply to question your tastes or for something other reason, you think it’d be best to follow Ali’s advice and not fully trust her.

>”It’s proximity to The Empress might prove useful.”

>”I only chose it because I liked it the most.”

>Write in.

>>42277009
>I think I.....know this room. From before. LONG before.

>>42277009
>”I only chose it because I liked it the most.”

>>42277046
That's just false. Plus she doesn't know we were empress

>>42277009
>>42277110
Seconding
>>42277131
Actually its not that doll was probably made for a young Sophia, and she knew where it was

>>42277131
>That's just false
A secret compartment that she didn't even need to search? I'm not saying it was HER room, but she's been here before. Or maybe it was the room of the little guy in Sophia's head.

We could also deflect about liking smaller rooms because of how we were raised. Simpler, easier to seal, etc.

Hello and welcome back to another run, everyone!

>>42277110
>>42277197
Don't question our tastes.
>>42277211
Adding some of the reasons posted here.

>Writing~

>>42277241
Just don't imply we're royalty.

>>42277325
Of course.

>>42277241
So we our dagger made to work with pyromancy?

And wouldn't Aya and her family be our natural enemies since they overthrew our family?

>>42277400
Yes, your dagger was naturally made to enhance and channel pyromancy. Aya's family didn't so much as overthrow your family, but filled in a power-vaccuum that was left after the sealing of The Usurper.

>>42277439
What would her father's reaction have been if we had shown up and announced ourself as who we are?

>>42277544
Her father would've probably denounced your claim as false. Very few people knew about your birth.

>>42277241

Ali doesn’t need to know the details about your formative upbringing.

You turn to her without hesitation. “I chose this room because I liked the best. The layout is simpler and easier to seal. Thus it’s easier to keep out unwanted guests.” You stare at her and smile shrewdly.

“Hmm.” She considers your words carefully. “A solid plan.” Ali shrugs and continues onto a new topic. “So I’m to understand that we’re down two of our councilmembers now?”

You recall the terrible state that Zarn was found in the battlefield. “That’s correct. Zarn’s likely to succumb to his injuries any time now, and Sivaht vanished in the ensuing chaos.”

“A very dangerous mistake.” Ali comments bitterly. “A skilled general is loss enough, we were fortunate that Sivaht didn’t have the chance to take out more of our forces.”

You finish putting away the last of your clothes. “The Broodmother and our Empress seem to have quite the vendetta against each other.”

“Something to take advantage of…” Ali sits silently, thinking about the implications.

“Perhaps.” You respond and shut the cabinet. “In the meantime, our martial council openings will be filled by the most competent generals from the returning force.”

[1/2]

>>42277928

Ali leans back on the bed. “Quite the mixed bag to return home to.” She pushes a lock of hair out of her face. “But I’m still somehow glad to be back. I have quite the exhausting role to play at all hours of the day.”

Izu shifts on the bed, causing the both of you to go silent. After a few moments, you’re both confident that he’s still asleep.

“It looks like you’ve finally put him to some use.” Ali comments in a more hushed tone of voice.

“He’s been…moderately useful.” You add. “But he still has a long way to go.”

“Apprentices are strange like that.” Ali smiles fondly. “Some days they’re completely essential, others you wonder why you brought them along in the first place.” She quickly clears her throat. “Vicki should be swinging by later today with the information you asked her to gather.”

While Ali was investigating the supposed chosen one, Vicki remained around to gather information. It’s strange that you hardly ever saw her these past few weeks.

Anyway, there are a few questions you’ve been meaning to ask Ali about. One of the main ones being the status of Laurent and Ellie, but part of you hesitates to show any interest in them. Maybe asking about them in passing would be the way to go.

>Only ask Ali about what she’s found out about the chosen one.

>Ask Ali what she’s found out about the chosen one, as well as Laurent and Ellie.

>Write in.

>>42277945
>Ask Ali what she’s found out about the chosen one, as well as Laurent and Ellie.
Only is they're actually WITH the humans, and if they can be contacted easily.

We don't really have much to give them that might be useful, unless we're crazy enough to give the hairpin.

>>42278047
Going with the single vote hopefully just once this time.

>Writing~

>>42277945
>>Ask Ali what she’s found out about the chosen one, as well as Laurent and Ellie.

>>42278096

You’ll ease into the question you really want to ask.

“I’ll be sure to be a cordial host when she arrives.” You grin deviously.

Ali laughs lightly. “If you only knew how much she doesn’t like you.”

“Can’t win them all.” You sit on the edge of the bed next to her. “Have you found out anything interesting while undercover?”

Ali’s mouth pulls to the side to show her dissatisfaction. “He’s a careful one, that man.” She rests her elbows on her thighs. “His limited trust is only shown to his two closest lieutenants.”

“Sounds like us.” You add sarcastically.

“Not quite.” Ali quickly responds. “His current elevated status is almost entirely due to coincidence, and proper timing. As far as he goes as a person, there’s something quite off about him.”

“How so?” You ask, interest slightly piqued.

“When he thinks that he’s alone, he begins mumbling something to himself wildly.” Ali pauses to think. “Based off what I’ve seen, I don’t think it’s a standard mental affliction.”

That’s a potential reason for why The Empress is interested in him.

“Even with that, peculiarity, I’ve made substantial progress in gaining the trust of his lieutenants. It’s only a matter of time before I discover what makes this man so special.” She sighs. “For now, I’m tasked with recruiting nearby dwellers to the human alliance.”

There’s the chance you’ve been looking for.

[1/2]

>>42278787

You look back at the sleeping boy. “Speaking of nearby dwellers, do you know what’s become of Laurent and Ellie?”

Ali’s eyebrows raise. “I’ve heard about them actually. Your former bodyguard has taken to training new batches of recruits in a nearby camp. Ellie is a medic assigned to a different camp. They’re both quite well-regarded for what they do.”

You’re proud that you’ve trained them to be so useful.

Ali turns to you with inquisitive eyes. “Do you want me to look further into one of them? I would normally offer both, but I don’t think I’ll have the time.”

Now that you know about their statuses, it wouldn’t be too hard to look into it yourself. But, it might be easier to simply let Ali look into it, supposing she doesn’t have a hidden motive. Then again, how much is there to gain in investigating your former housemates?

>Have her find out more about Ellie.

>Have her find out more about Laurent.

>Reject her offer.

>Write in.

>>42278823
>>Reject her offer.

>>42278823
>>Reject her offer.
As long as they haven't ended up dead, or are in imminent danger of dying.

>>42278881
>>42278916
They're a big boy and girl. They can watch themselves.

>Writing~

>>42278976

No sense in distracting Ali from her current work.

“No need.” You shake your head, lightly. “They’re fine on their own.”

“If you say so.” Ali rises from your bed. “Let me get to the main reason I came here.” She motions for you to move away from the bed. “Have you been looking into delving like I asked?” She whispers, barely audible.

“I’ve been putting a great deal of effort into it, as well as suffering.” You whisper back, honestly, and give a cursory summary of what you’ve discovered, in order to not give away too much.

She nods her head, seemingly unsurprised about what you’ve found out. “The Empress has made vague notes about its potential, but it seems that she doesn’t know how to take it further.”

“What do you mean by take it further?” You ask, observantly.

Ali smiles at your hesitation. “To bring others into what you’ve created.”

She’s quite knowledgeable about this field, meaning that her sources are at the most a few steps behind what she knows.

“So you know how to do so?” You impatiently whisper.

Ali shakes her head. “But I have a lead. So, let me worry about how we’ll bring an audience to our play, you concern yourself with making the most vivid showpiece.” She takes a step back. “The Empress has an important task for you in the coming days, and I’ll be leaving by the end of tomorrow.” She says at a normal volume and then proceeds toward the door. “This may be a luxurious palace with high and sturdy walls, but you’re still surrounded by enemies.”

“Close by, or far way. They’ll be taken care of soon enough.” You respond confidently.

Ali sighs with a very slight smile forming on her face. “Just watch yourself, Sophia.” She leaves without another word.

~

[1/2]

>>42279661

Within a short hour, you finally set up your room to your liking, but as you look around, you can’t help but feel that there’s things still needed to be put in place.

Izu stirs behind you and sits up in the bed. “Water…” His voice is heavy with sleepiness.

You scoff as you head toward pitcher of water on your desk, you roughly hand him the entire thing and watch as he gulps down a large portion of it.

He hands the pitcher back to you, staring heavily at you while doing so. “That little girl’s voice in your mind. What is that?”

You instantly remember that strange being that you enslaved in your own mind. “It should be a boy.” You comment and then explain how it got to be there in the first place.

Izu nods knowingly. “But is a girl’s voice I heard when I was asleep. She was crying and asking me for help.” He slides out of the bed. “You can’t hear her?”

You sense vague sadness originating from where you imprisoned the being, but no clear voices.

Izu scratches his cheek. “She can take a physical form, and still be sealed back into your mind, I think. But I don’t know if we can trust her.”

A physical form might allow you to more easily discover what this being knows about mental domination, but if it can’t be sealed back into your mind, then you would have to risk defeating it again.

>Beckon it to take a physical form.

>Leave it as it is, you'll find out more about it through use.

>Write in.

>>42279699
>Leave it as it is, you'll find out more about it through use.
Or with the cloak if necessary.

>>42279699
>Beckon it to take a physical form.
We defeated it before, shouldn't be too much harder to do it again

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>42279748
Leaving it = 1
>>42279798
Having it go physical = 2

>Writing the winner.

>>42279798
uh, you guys almost got fukkin rekt by it until I pointed out the mistakes in its mindfuckery. Let's not risk that again.

>>42279699
>Leave it as it is
Until we find the hairpin and give it to "him", at least to buy SOME form of loyalty.

>>42279895
>>42279909
As it came after the roll, we're going ahead with the original choice.

>>42279895
It would be weird for it to attack us again considering how much we scared the shit out of it.

>>42279954
it would run away. In an Auri Quest, opportunity cost gets you killed.

And whose to say it won't be back with a vengeance, having joined one of our many enemies?

>not trusting izu
plebians

>>42280029
>In an Auri Quest, opportunity cost gets you killed.
What makes you say that?

>>42280375
Not him but auri will not hesitate to kill the MC.

He said this quest is easy mode compared to his other quests.

>>42280375
Auri's made it clear that if we are not making efficient use of Control and what time we have to practice/gain power, we're kind of screwed.

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>>42280416
I have?


>>42279889

If you can force the trapped being into a physical form, then you can siphon knowledge from it even when not using it in combat. Or at least, that’s the hope.

“I know you can hear me.” You coldly yell into the vestiges of your mind where it’s hiding. “Show yourself like you did before.”

The sniffling becomes audible as it seems to respond to your orders. The room around you becomes clouded in a thin ether, but it doesn’t seem to be an illusion or filled with malicious intent.

The mist coalesces above your bed, as you and Izu try to peer throw its obscuring color.

When the mist finally dissipates, Izu buckles down with laughter as he stares at what’s in front of him.

It’s you. You hate to admit it, but the best and simplest explanation for what you’re seeing is that it chose to take form of a much younger and wingless version of yourself.

Izu giggles even harder when he sees your face of confusion and anger.

You roughly grab the little girl by her hair. “If you think that this will keep me from hurting you, then you are sorely mistaken.” You tightly wrap the hair around your hand.
“Change this instant!” You throw her to the floor.

[1/2]

>>42280477

The little girl sobs incoherently on the floor, and cowers in a small tight ball.

You and Izu stare over the girl’s body.

“Can you make out what it’s saying?” You ask Izu, impatiently.

Izu shrugs. “Not one word.” He turns back to you. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.”

You’re not done yet. “Listen…” You invoke a small fire in your hand. “I know you can feel pain while you’re like that. So if you don’t change your appearance soon, you better hope that I accidently kill you along the way.” Your fire intensifies over her bare body.

She frantically scurries away from the flame. “I-I c-c-can’t!” Her breathing is heavy with hiccupping sobs.

It sounds like she’s telling the truth, but given how inconsolable she is now, you wonder if you have the time or patience to keep up with this. If you could just get her to be quiet for a moment, your original plan might still work.

>Forget it, and bound her back into your mind.

>Press on, more aggressively.

>Write in.

>>42280499
accept it's form and move on with the plan

>>42280499
>Give her the doll from the cabinet and approach her more calmly.

>>42280499
>Put the flame out
>Why can't you? That is legitimately odd.
>Give it a pillow to hug to calm down with.

>>42280499
>Forget it, and bound her back into your mind.
We'll free "her" at a later date, when we don't live right beside the Empress.

>>42280515
>>42280499
>>42280540
Pretty much this. We don't care what it looks like. If we're gonna work with it we need it's cooperation. It's already ours

>>42280515
>>42280540
>>42280543
>>42280559
Calming down, and calming it down.

>Writing~

>>42280622

Looks like it’s responding to violent threats a bit differently than it did the first time you encountered it, so a change of approach is necessary.

First of all, you set aside how much it irks you that it’s chosen to take a form that reminds you of certain unpleasant…things.

You douse your flame, and the room becomes quieter as the both of you begin to calm down. In a few minutes, her intense sobbing returns to heavy sniffling.

You pull her up from the ball that she’s curled herself into and sit her up. “Do you know why you can’t take any other forms besides that one?”

Her bloodshot and tear-soaked eyes look up at you. “I-I…” She wipes her nose with her arm. “Memories and feelings get stuck to me, change part of who I am.”

Inconvenient, but plausible. More importantly...

“Do you still know how to control your powers?” You demand.

She nods diligently.

If that’s the case, then she might just have some use in her physical form.

You walk over to the huge wardrobe, and open the secret compartment once more. You dust off the well-made doll, and offer it to the little girl.

Her eyes beam when she sees just how it look, and with greedy fingers, she takes it from your hand and tightly clutches it close to her chest.

You sit across from her, and Izu sits closely next to you. “What is your power capable of?” You ask in frank tone.

She’s entirely distracted by the doll, so you smack her aside the head to snap her back into reality.

Her eyes water slightly, but unsurprisingly, violence is more effective than simple threats. “A long time ago, I remember they could make me do things. Things like make friends attack their friends, make people believe that they were being attacked by things that weren’t there.” She hurries.

Those things sound more promising than simply obscuring one or two senses.

[1/2]

>>42281223

“Do you think you can still do things like that?” You ask, interest clear in your voice.

She lightly plays with the doll's hair and then nods. “It’s been a really long time, but I think so.”

A smile forms on your face, glad that you haven’t just wasted your time.

You ask what Izu thinks from your thoughts.

“I don’t like her.” He answers aloud.

Well, neither do you, but she is useful to keep around.

“Still…” Izu says with furrowed brow.

You rise to your feet. “We’ve had all that we can handle of you for now. So I’m binding you back into my mind.”

She looks down at her feet, distraught, but then suddenly looks up with hopeful eyes. “Can I take the doll with me?”

“No.” You answer immediately. “It’s not like you. It can’t be bound.”

Her eyes and nose redden upon hearing that fact. “Could I just play with it for a few more minutes?” She stands immediately and pleads. “Only a few minutes, that’s all!”

Your mouth tightens with disgust at the façade you stare at now. The only reason you have to give her what she wants is that she might prove to be more effective if she’s happier, plus you have plans to visit The Empress, so you won’t have to be in this thing’s company. However, you’re confident that you’ll get results using more aggressive methods, so her happiness is not a necessity.

>Bind her away immediately.

>Allow her to play while you’re out, sealing the door to keep her from escaping.

>Write in.

>>42281238
>>Allow her to play while you’re out, sealing the door to keep her from escaping.

>>42281238
>Bind her away immediately.
She can play under our supervision, but not while we're away.

>>42281238
>Allow her to play while you’re out, sealing the door to keep her from escaping.
We're not needlessly cruel.

>>42281238
>>Allow her to play while you’re out, sealing the door to keep her from escaping.
Make it clear this is the carrot, If she makes us regret giving to her, it will never occur again. All she'll get is the stick.

>>42281238
>>Allow her to play while you’re out, sealing the door to keep her from escaping.
Leave Izu to watch her. Instruct her not to use her powers in any way.

hint at this>>42281297

>>42281238
>Bind her away immediately.
Izu doesn't trust her, neither should we.

>>42281304
>>42281297
>>42281238
This

>>42281317
Izu doesn't like her. He never said he doesn't trust her.

>>42281265
>>42281291
>>42281297
>>42281304
>>42281342
Enjoy that carrot while it lasts.

>Writing~

>>42281363

You never know when you might have to ask her for some knowledge in the future, so it would serve you well to make sure that’s she’s more pliable to your demands.

“Alright.” You answer. “I have some business to attend to, so you may play while I’m gone and no longer than that.”

A bright smile forms on her face, annoying you slightly.

“But.” You continue with great severity. “You can only play with that doll in this room, and you must behave yourself when I’m away.”

She nods eagerly, already antsy to continue playing.

“If you ever misbehave and make me regret this…” You invoke a caustic and hideous flame. “Then that doll will take the punishment.”

Her eyes widen gravely, and she remains motionless.

“Izu, be sure to watch her while I’m gone.” You add.

The boy turns to you with a betrayed look in his eyes.

“You’re still recovering, and being an apprentice is never all fun and games.” You poke his uninjured side.

His body looks more deflated, but he doesn’t fight your command.

You head for the door. “You can hit her as much as you like.”

His flat expression lets you know he isn’t too keen on that offer.

You shrug nonchalantly. “You’re in charge, Izu.” You make sure to note that before leaving, and sealing the door behind you.

These past few days The Empress has been asking that you don’t exert yourself too much, so she’s more than likely to have a task that needs your assistance. You’ve seen her preparing for a wide-scale ritual of some sort, so your mind has been running wild as to what it could be. However, no matter how much you speculate, your thoughts return to The Empress’s zealous speech about unleashing ancient terrors upon these realms.

With a slight measure of excitement, you proceed down the hall, and toward the throne room of Impel Palace.

~

>>42281725
Okay, that's where I'll be ending it for tonight. There were a good number of votes in thread today, and I want to thank everyone that played!

Please post your comments/questions in the thread if you have any, and I will do my best to respond to them.

If not, then I wish you a good day/night, and I hope to see you again next time!

>(Twitter)
https://twitter.com/QM_Auri

>>42281750
Short thread. Thank though.

>>42281757
You're very welcome! It's indeed shorter than the last few runs, but on average about the same length.

>>42281750
Ok why is Sophia excited when she was dreading it earlier? She's become increasingly more erratic of late.

>>42281783
To what are you referring to exactly?

>>42281798
Her reactions, her changing her mind on things so quickly, the fact she's acting more and more like a carbon copy of the usurper.

>>42281809
I really don;t see it.

>>42281809
The acquisition of greater power makes one more confident in their abilities, but that's not out of line with Sophia's character.

>>42281750
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

any ideas why psychic kid took the form of young Sophia?

>>42281750
Thanks for running. How come the little girl didn't have wings?

>>42281827
The dust she kicked up in the prisoner's faces, the threatening to kill someone for being a mild annoyance, the "I look forward to fucking everyone over with monsters beyond the veil."

>>42281864
Except she's not gotten greater power except for the mind kid which she has at best incredibly imperfect control of, and would not help with the things beyond the barrier. Indeed that might actually hurt her chances, which she should be cognizant of. She's been acting increasingly more vindictive, and malignant of alter.

>>42281931
She's always been very vindictive and malignant.

>>42281881
You're very welcome! That being's main existence isn't physical, so when it's surrounded by strong innate emotions, it uses those to base a form after. Now as to why it had the form it did to begin with...
>>42281884
You're also very welcome! That is an interesting question. One that you don't likely know outright, but can deduce.

>>42281931
Her more erratic emotions went away with the curse. As to why she feels so strongly about this girl who reminds her of her past, that's sprinkled throughout the quest, and honestly Sophia has ultimately been looking out for #1 since the beginning, so the summoning of inconceivably strange creatures appeals to her desire of knowledge much more than it does anything else.


Just from what she's capable through delving now, I would consider to be MUCH greater power. What can be bound, can be unbound forcibly, so while she'd rather have the strange being completely under her control, if it proves too much, she knows that she can destroy it.

>>42282020
That being's main existence isn't physical, so when it's surrounded by strong innate emotions, it uses those to base a form after. Now as to why it had the form it did to begin with...

lmao fuck that first form, I wanna know why our strong innate emotions induce the young us form

>>42281983
To the point of killing people viciously and maliciously for a mild annoyance? No, otherwise half the cast would be dead by now.

>>42282020
>I would consider to be MUCH greater power.
It would be, if she could actually use it, at all. She demonstrably can't. Furthermore she can't use it to defend herself or affect the outside world at all. She could be a god for a few seconds real time, but it she'd not affect the world at all.

Additionally given the hints about the bound one's origins she should be worried, about the monsters, especially if the usurper is spot on with her estimate of "If I lose control everyone dies anyways" Which is an unacceptable risk.

>>42282061
Oh, okay. That being is basically shoved into a deep recess of your mind when not in use, so it came across some other things that we're forcibly shoved there too.

Please let me know if I need to clarify better.

>>42282104
It requires growth, yes. But to wave it off as nonviable, would've been like waving off our teleportation because we were terrible at it to begin with. Just from the simple beginning of learning more about it, it has shown to have much more potential than all of your abilities so far, so you're right about not being able to use it, yet, but please don't write it off just because of that.

Sophia has a great deal of confidence in The Usurper's power, otherwise she would've turn on her already. Meaning that while there is risk, she's prepared to take it not only due to curiosity, but of necessity as well.

I want to thank you for taking a concern in my quest, it keeps me on my toes, and let's me know if I lacked in some aspect of explaining something.

>>42282110
why is Sophia so fucked in the head
pls clarify ;p

>>42282355
That's a broad question, but I think it's best answered by: Deeply seated and unresolved mental trauma.

>>42282302
Not writing it off, Just saying Sophia getting a massive confidence boost from it would be like Her getting a masterwork sword, and thinking she'd be dangerous with it without training. It's powerful but the confidence is atm unwarranted.

As for the summoning, If she was half as smart as thought she was, she'd have at least some trepidation. It's like a high level magic user poking a demon. It'll probably turn out well(for the wizard), but that doesn't mean there won't be collateral damage, or that onlookers will get away unscathed. Furthermore the Usurper is supremely arrogant, she overestimated her control on her generals and has underestimated Ali greatly. It'd be well within the realm of possibility for her to bungle something crucial, due to her own ego.

>>42282432
The confidence is a result of Sophia's ego, and also knowing she's capable of things that almost everyone else can only dream of. Not a justification, but an explanation.

Indeed The Usurper was tricked by a very powerful being at root, and expect to see some fallout because of that, but you can't know for certain that she's underestimating anyone, especially those with the most potential threat to her. But yes, it's always in the realm of possibility that something crucial may go wrong, but if it was between adding more possibility of ultimate success versus detracting from it, The Usurper will go for the more beneficial option.

>>42282554
>but if it was between adding more possibility of ultimate success versus detracting from it, The Usurper will go for the more beneficial option.

Not quite getting what you mean by that last bit.

>>42282564
She's not so much of a megalomaniac that she would take a option with a higher chance of failing than success.

In this setting, almost all actions come with some measure of risk. One has to weigh the options and consider what's the best course of action, because the best course of action is constantly changing, Inaction, also comes with risk as well.

>>42282607
So her basic approach is the antithesis to how Sophia approaches the occult?

Go big or go home vs clockwork gains?

>>42282633
Different, but I wouldn't say that they're complete opposites. One of the first things Sophia did involving the occult was a rather large and dangerous leap.

For now what The Usurper does is on a much larger scale and it's difficult to compare to Sophia's path of self-improvement. But that might not be the case for much longer.

I'll be stepping out now because I'm due for sleep, but please feel free to post any questions you still have next run.

Until next time, everyone!

>>42280477
>I have?
A little bit before the usurper arrived.