>>42423847

The Empress broods in silence as you continue to follow her down this seemingly endless stairwell.

“Too much.” She finally answers, flatly. “Her forces are gargantuan in number, and she’s existed for as long I have…”

There’s something new, but what does that length of time imply exactly? If only you could squeeze out just how long it is.

The Empress lights up the pitch black descent with a ball of violet energy, and you assist with a small flame.

“Which is why we’re going to make sure she’s finally dealt with.” The Empress quickly comments.

An unfortunate end for someone who holds so much knowledge and has yet to share all of it with you. Perhaps one last visit before a new war starts is in order.

Anyway, how long are these stairs going to last?

“Hence the ritual, but if whatever we’re going to unleash is enough to grievously trouble The Broodmother, what’s to keep it from becoming uncontrollable?” You press.

“Sophia, these beings had to be sealed before, and that was before we had even half the power we have now.” The Empress answers with bitter tone, but it doesn’t seem to be directed at you.

She stops once the two of you finally reach the bottom of the tower. Wherever you are, you are well beneath surface level.

A small and heavily rusted gate swings open nosily as if upon arrival of The Empress.

“But we’re going to make sure extra safety measures are in place before we begin. So there are some we need to visit.” She motions for you to walk in.

[2/3]

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>>42423876

An oppressively musty smell immediate washes over you as you step into the sickly and unnatural light. Large and bizarrely carved stone makes up the huge hall around you, a heavy green color rises upon the stone to sights unseen.

Your steps are burdened with a heavy stickiness of what seems to be semi-dried blood, and the some of the walls share the same problem.

You turn and throw a skeptical look toward The Empress.

“These fellows prefer these conditions and their solitude.” The Empress walks forward, unperturbed by her surroundings. “They mainly specialize in curses and other disturbing research, but they will be helping us in making sure what we unseal is obedient to our commands.”

The mention of curses immediately reminds you of the affliction you went through with your armor. Are the people she speaks of partially responsible?

“Something on your mind?” The Empress stops and inquires.

A chance to see just how much she knows about your curse. However, if she was the one responsible, it doesn’t make sense that she would be easily tied to the armor. Maybe risking being honest with her will help you discover who's truly at fault, if it indeed isn't her.

>”Is what goes on here unique, or might others share some of this knowledge?"

>Be honest about your armor.

>Write in.

>>42423915
>>”Is what goes on here unique, or might others share some of this knowledge?"

Hello there, anon!

>>42423981
Careful questions to start the thread.

>Writing~

>>42424071

You still don’t how much The Empress had to do with the curse that was placed on your armor, so you’ll hold off revealing just how much you know.

You look around you at the bizarrely shaped walls, in some places the stone hangs defiantly at seemingly impossible angles. ”Is what goes on here unique, or might others share some of this knowledge?" You turn back to The Empress.

“There’s a slight chance that some of the things practiced here might’ve slipped out over the years, but given their secrecy it wouldn’t be much.” The Empress looks toward the path ahead of you. “But there are some that would carry these practices innately inside them.”

Meaning that if someone had placed a curse on your armor they’d have either been born with that knowledge or received help from these creatures somehow. But since her unsealing, The Empress has just been able to access these depths.

“But there’s little to fear from their practices. Their arts are directed to the unsuspecting, so keep your guard up and you should be able to detect if somethings amiss.” The Empress continues down the path.

Knowledge that would’ve been nice to have earlier…

It only takes a few minutes of walking before you see signs of life, if it could be called that. Dilapidated huts of bone and rusted metal sit menacingly on the sides of the paths, you see slight movement from their dark insides as you pass by.

[1/2]

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>>42424703

Strange metal structures become more frequent the further you venture, their strange designs made to contain gases or liquids of extreme variety.

You step pass a wide pit filled with steaming organic matter, and are increasingly eager to be done with place just for its smell.

A small group of hooded figures approach, their garments made from various leathers and familiar skins.

You two stop some distance away from the group and The Empress steps forward. “I intend to unseal that which lies below.” She boldly states.

The hooded figures mumble something among themselves in an unintelligible language, before one representative steps forward. “Ip’Suran should not be awaken from his sleep.” A voice, hollow of emotion, responds back.

“They named it…” The Empress mumbles under her breath and shakes her head. “It’s going to be awoken, whether you want it or not. But if you want to be alive to bask in its presence then I suggest you assist in leashing it when it’s finally unsealed.” The Empress invokes a few orbs of her violet energy to hang around her.

More of these creatures begin to surround you, largely unseen, but you can practically smell them.

The small group confers once again. “Eight thousand.” One of them finally responds.

The Empress turns back to you. “They want sacrifices. We can give them our remaining flesh soldiers, but the remaining few hundred will have to come from our Impel forces. This isn’t a place they want to meet their ends.”

Not to mention that would weaken your defenses while you still wait for the main army to return and completely halt reconstruction. They seem unmoving on the number, but perhaps you can negotiate the source, if you can think of another.

>Suggest The Empress accept.

>Write in.

>>42424797
What aspect of the sacrifice is most necessary? Body Mass?

>>42424835
You get the impression it's done mainly for appeasement, so an equally sacrifice in mass should be sufficient.

>>42424797
how many citizen are left in the city?

>>42424889
Hundreds of thousands.

>>42424797
>Offer up the guardian we fought earlier in the palace and promise double the remainder from the broodmothers forces.

>>42424910
either
>>42424916
this or use citizenry drawn by lots.

>>42424862
Like the huge tracts of flesh-land from the Maw's territory?

I'm only here for this vote, so I'm thinking that we give at least half of our flesh soldiers now, keep a few hundred for reconstruction, and have the rest pillage flesh from the Maw's territory.
totally not spreading the Usurper's forces thin and informing the enemy.

and >>42424916

>>42424916
>>42424930

The guardian plus

>>42424937
The remainder be taken from our own flesh soldier forces, because they very likely want their sacrifices up front.

Very clever!

>Writing~

>>42424981

“How many soldiers do you think that colossus guarding the western hall counts for?” You ask.

The Empress smiles at your suggestion and then turns back to the waiting group. “If we give you the western hall guardian, how many sacrifices do we still owe you?”

Another conference between them, this one taking a bit longer than the earlier ones. “Four-thousand nine hundred and two.” One of them suddenly answers.

Still dealing a heavy blow to The Empress total forces and leaving enough for reconstruction and other activities.

“Accepted.” The Empress responds happily. “Prepare immediately for the leashing and you’ll have all of your sacrifices by tonight.”

Without any further responses, dozens of hooded figures begin moving with haste from all directions, hauling large metal containers, and other metal objects.

The two of you take your leave, but you keep this squalid place in mind for future investigation.

~

Surely there must be reason as to why The Empress simply didn’t teleport the both of you back up that monstrous amount of stairs.

You do your best not to show your displeasure when The Empress turns to you.

“Tomorrow is when we’ll begin. Do be sure to relax in the meantime.” The Empress begins to walk away before turning back to you. “Your apprentice spoke to me in a delirious state when I retrieved him from that rubble.”

You tense up very slightly.

She pulls a small fan and begins cooling herself. “He asked if I could make him pancakes if he lived. Not knowing we meant by that, I suggested to him that you make them for him.” She smiles widely before continuing. “He said that you can’t cook. But maybe you should give it a try. For him.” She comments teasingly before leaving you flabbergasted.

Like hell.

[1/2]

>>42425627

You finally return to your quarters to find the small girl still quietly doting over the doll’s appearance, and Izu who's entertaining himself with a book.

Izu looks up from what he's reading, and you’re instantly reminded of The Empress’s parting comment, to which he smiles widely.

“Pancakes?” You inquire about his intention, while removing your armor.

He sets his book down and jumps up. “Those would be great to eat! Can you make some?”

“Can I have some too? I’m very hungry?” The girl asks humbly from her corner.

Don’t let them get to you, it’s what they want.

You choose to ignore their comments and turn toward the small girl. “Has she been any trouble?”

“No…” Izu responds, almost disappointed. “She just been sitting there quietly and playing.”

It looks like she’s much more prone to listening while in her physical form, and it’s good to know that you can remove her from your mind at any time you wish. But, the sight of her still annoys you slightly, and you’d prefer her out of sight in case you have any visitors.

The girl looks up at you, fearfully realizing that her play time is up.

>Bind her back into your mind.

>Leave her in her physical form.

>Write in.

>>42425653
>Bind her back into your mind.
Also practice using her power.

>>42425653
Food first, then back in. We'll let you out another time since you've been good.

>>42425653
>Bind her back into your mind.
Back into the hole

>>42425693
This may not come this next update, but I will write it.
>>42425695
>>42425746

Cat back into the bag.

>Writing~

>>42425784
One more vote for food first

>>42425784

You snatch a couple pieces of sweet bread off your wardrobe that Izu had been nibbling at earlier and then toss it to the girl in the corner. “Once you’re finished with that I’m binding you again. But I’ll let you out again sometime, since you didn’t disobey me.”

With a downcast expression, she nods her understanding before tearing hungrily into the bit of food you gave her. Once you finish removing your armor she’s finished her meal, and you bind her back into your mind.

Thankfully, her physical body fades into a similar mist that formed it, not leaving a corpse for you to clean up. You return the doll to the secret compartment in the wardrobe as that feels like its proper place, and you can sense the being in your mind is quite content.

If only you could test out the extent of the power you can draw from it right now. You turn to Izu, who immediately goes into a mock fighting stance upon realizing what you’re considering.

Too problematic to test it out on him anyway, he’d very likely end up making a mess of the room.

Three quiet knocks suddenly come from your door, and immediately knowing who they belong to, you swing open the door.

“Would you like to be test subject for an experiment?” You ask the startled girl across from you.

“N-no!” Vicki stammers and clutches a journal tightly to her chest. “I’m here to update you on what you asked me to look into.” She sighs at the task ahead of her.

More information is always welcome.

You slide out of the way and motion for her to enter, which she does, hesitantly.

She spins around marveling at the construction at the room before stopping suddenly when she sets eyes upon Izu. “I-I was told to only share this information with you.” She suddenly blurts out, blushing.

You turn to Izu, but he only shrugs. “Go out for a bit.” You tell the boy and gently push him out of the room.

[1/2]

>>42426601

“Now!” Vicki states quite loudly, startling even herself. “Please keep quiet while I give you the update, I-I have trouble remembering it all…”

You sigh, showing your lack of faith in the girl, and then nod for her to begin.

“Realms.” She states more for herself than you, and then clenches her fists in deep focus. “The physical aspects of the realms exist on their own, but nobody know how exactly they all came to be.” She blurts out and hardly breathes before continuing. “While they can connect physically at some areas, the majority of the interconnectivity exists beyond their physical borders.”

You perk up significantly.

“This interconnectivity exists in a similar state to the bridge realms created while delving, and if one is in the process of transporting from one realm to another, they theoretically can be forced into a nearby created bridge realm.”

You hold grab her shoulders. “Repeat what you said.” You demand.

She does so, repeating the exact words she just stated.

“How did you find this out?” You clench her shoulders tightly.

“Find what out?” She asks genuinely, squealing in pain.

A firm knock from the door startles the both of you, even causing Vicki to teleport around the room dozens of times in just a few seconds.

[2/3]

>>42426623

“Sophia!” Justina’s voice calls out from beyond the door. “I heard that you’re going to busy for the next few days, so I stopped by for the Necromancy lesson I owe you.” She continues to knock impatiently.

“What have you yet to tell me?” You whisper to Vicki.

“Just a little bit about locking out realms.” She winces. “I think can teleport out of the room without her noticing I was here.” She whispers.

You'd be giving up one or the other. While you have learned most of what Vicki has to report, you’re still quite interested in hearing the full thing. That's not to say that you're not interested in learning more about Necromancy. Telling Justina to go away after you had made the deal might arouse suspicion, but if Vicki fails to leave without being noticed, that would be even more suspicious.

>Permit Justina inside, and have Vicki teleport away.

>Send Justina away and let Vicki finish.

>Write in.

>>42426651
Demand a minute to get yourself decent, Have Vicki hide and wait. Muss yourself up a bit so it looks like you were having "personal enjoyment" time. Then Ask to be trained elsewhere because your room is a bit messy.

>>42426651
>Hide Vicki someplace and have her finish what she needs to tell you in writing while insisting that you have your necromancy lesson outside your room.

>>42426766
>>42426800
"Just a minute..."

>Writing~

>>42426827

You’re not finished with Vicki, but you’re not going to let a lesson you paid for go to waste.

“Hold on, hold on.” You announce with a voice painted with annoyance rather than panic. Then turn to grab Vicki. “You need to hide.”

You look around your room, the space underneath your bed is far too low for her, and shoving her under your desk would leave her exposed. However, the wardrobe has very large cabinets, especially for a young girl.

She struggles against your firm grasp, thankfully forgetting for the moment that she can teleport due to sheer terror. “I don’t want to!” She whispers fiercely at you, squirming with all her might.

The struggle messes up your hair and clothing quite visibly, but you manage to shove her into the cabinet, ceasing her resistance when you finally close it.

You might have to apologize to Ali for the rough handling of her apprentice.

You rush over to the door and swing it open once again to spot Justina and two of her dolls waiting patiently behind her.

“Oh!” Justina glances over your disheveled appearance and giggles. “We’re you busy?”

“Not at all.” You assure her, and properly adjust yourself.

She gazes all around you to your room, with an expression of disappointment. “You weren’t hiding Matt from me were you?”

“I have no reason to hide him from you. Right?” You ask with menacing tone.

“Of course.” She responds confidently. “I only wanted to see him, since these two leave so much to be desired.”

[1/2]

>>42427516

The pair behind continue to smile as if oblivious to what she just said.

“How unfortunate for you.” You remark, glibly then shut and seal the door behind you. “I’d rather we didn’t practice in my room, I’m familiar with how messy Necromancy can get.”

“Right…Not everyone likes that sort of thing.” Justina comments to herself while thinking. “Well then, we’re having class outside today.”

The children behind her cheer happily.

The two of you proceed to the nearby northern courtyard, all the while various Impel guards bow deeply as you both pass by.

“Victory is sweet, isn’t it?” Justina states mirthfully, even boldly slapping the rears of a few guards as she passes by.

The sprawling space of the northern courtyard seems slightly familiar to you, even with this being your first visit since arriving here.

Justina doesn’t give you much time to think on that before turning to you. “Now now, I’ve been practicing Necromancy since I was younger than these two.” She rubs the boy and the girls’ hair quite roughly. “So it’d be hard to find a better teacher than me.” She smiles widely.

You stand there quietly, not feeding her indulgent self.

She scoffs at you lack of comments. “Now I can either show you an offensive technique or a defensive technique. They’re not the most advanced, but I’d consider both of them to be useful for your line of work”

An interesting choice. She knew that you weren’t extremely versed in Necromancy so she tailored her potential lessons to that fact. Since they're both useful, according to her, it now comes down to deciding which aspect of your combat you want to reinforce. Of course, you could always ask to learn something she could teach.

>Learn about the offensive technique.

>Learn about the defensive technique.

>Write in.

>>42427552
>>Learn about the defensive technique.

>>42427552
>Learn about the defensive technique.

>>42427552

>Learn about the defensive technique.

>>42427569
>>42427602
>>42427647

Supplementing our defense.

>Writing~

>>42427692

You’re already more than confident in your offensive abilities, so don’t think there’s much to be learned to help that.

“Show me the defensive technique.” You firmly give your answer.

“Interesting choice.” She smirks for unknown reasons. “But first an overview of the fundamentals.” She pulls the young boy in front of her. “Beyond whatever blood investment you give up, Necromancy takes a conscious effort from the Necromancer, whether they’re aware of it or not. The effort is lessened the more well-practiced one is in Necromancy.”

That would explain why it took so much effort to control that strange creature you killed so long ago in the rainy market.

She continues. “To the point of which…”

The boy speaks up suddenly. “I can see you completely fine from here, and feel ALL of his senses.” The boy smiles deviously. “A handy tool for the creative.”

“But I’m not limited to the control or the sensations of one body.” The three of them say in unison.

Justina speaks up from her own body. “But the longer a thing is dead, the harder it is to maintain your will upon them. But the opposite holds true as well, and that’s where the technique is rooted.”

A recently deceased body is an easy vacuum for one’s will, but what does she intend to show you?

She grabs onto the boy again. “I prepared this one just a few minutes before I came to visit you, so it should be a perfect place to start.”

The boy suddenly slumps to the ground like a rag doll.

>>42428339

“Focus your will upon my body like you’re trying to raise any standard creature, and you’ll find something interesting will happen if you do it right.” She smiles quite widely.

You listen to her instructions and channel your will into her body like when you were practicing on those rats, and then suddenly feel like you’re falling forward.

Your leg shoots out in front of you as if to catch yourself from a fall, and Justina’s body falls to the ground roughly.

“Now I’m forced here.” She comments from the boy’s body on the ground. “And if I wasn’t the one who developed this technique, there’d be very little for me to do, but wait to return.”

“In the meantime.” She comments rising with her own body. “You’ve now got the advantage. I call it a defensive technique because I find that it works best when you’ve suddenly come under attack. It’s not limited to working on Necromancer’s if you practice enough, and if there’s sufficient conduit corpses nearby it’s not limited to one target either.”

She pulls on the dead boy’s leg on the ground. “It also makes bodies completely unviable for Necromancy afterwards.” She drops the leg back to the ground. “Very annoying.”

Quite the handy technique against both Necromancers and other foes.

“That’s about it.” She comments. “The deal is done, and I’ll be going now. Extensive Necromancy always puts me in the mood.” Justina walks away with the girl in tow, leaving the boy’s corpse in the middle of the courtyard.

You hurry back to your room. Someone will take care of it, probably.

On your way back, you roughly bump into a heavily-armored guard who’s hurrying along his way. When you turn back to scold him, you find only a note.

>”Red is waiting outside where you first met him again.”

Red?... Grievermillion? Is this a legitimate letter or some sort of trap?

>Try to find the guard who dropped the letter.

>Return to the room to free Vicki.

>Write in.

>>42428363
>Return to the room to free Vicki.

>>42428363
>Return to the room to free Vicki.
An apology might be needed with how long its been.

>>42428421
>>42428460
Letting out our temporary prisoner.

>Writing~

>>42428505

Trying to track down that guard might eat up a large amount of time, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll be successful, so you decide to continue back to your room.

You quickly return and open your door to find no one inside of your room. Your seal was still in place, so how could she have escaped?

You sit on your bed considering just how capable Vicki actually might be, when you hear a rustling from inside of your wardrobe.

Upon opening the cabinet, you find Vicki still lying there, now heavily panting and sweating onto some of your clothing.

The two of you stare at each other for a few awkward seconds before you speak. “You do know that I didn’t put a seal on this wardrobe?”

She blushes heavily upon realization of her foolishness, and then clumsily scrambles out of the cabinet. “J-just let me finish so I can be on my way. Please.” She pants.

You shrug while trying not to laugh at her. “Go ahead.” You smirk.

She sighs and catches her breath. “Locking out a realm.” Her hands once again clench. “It’s done so by preventing any invading techniques from taking root inside a particular realm. Very difficult to maintain even with a large group working together, and impossible to block off all points of access, so blocks are only put in place for main sources of transportation.”

From other inner realms mainly. Aya might have modified it to block off access from the outer realms badlands and the human realm as well. But that still leaves two options in the outer realms.

“So other sources would work?” You press.

“Y-yes, but it will take much more effort than it normally would.” Vicki answers, already eyeing the door. “I’ve reported everything. M-may I go now?”

[1/2]

>>42428958

You could practically thank her for the amount of information she’s provided you with today, and you decide to do so by letting her leave, not harassed.

“The room isn’t sealed anymore.” You inform her and look toward the door. “Tell Ali I send my regards.”

“Then I’ll be going now.” She backpedals tripping over herself several times and then rushes to grab open the door, but finds Izu standing perplexed on the other side. “S-s-sorry!” She blurts out and teleports away with extremely red ears.

Izu pays her absolutely no mind and closes the door behind him. “Are you going to listen to the letter?”

You pull out the small paper and read it over once more. If it is from Grievermillion, then he intends to meet you outside the courthouse where you first met him, or it could be where a trap is put in place for you. But who would know about all this information, and would be willing to try to assault you of all people? There must be a good reason why he's choosing to meet now, if true.


>Listen to the letter and head toward the courthouse.

>Ignore the letter.

>Write in.

>>42428981

>Listen to the letter and head toward the courthouse.
>Stealth Armor Scope the place out first

>>42428981
>Listen to the letter and head toward the courthouse.
There's a strong case for listening and a weak case for ignoring.

>>42428981
>Listen to the letter and head toward the courthouse.
If we're really so paranoid, have Izu hidden away to either deploy a shield or watch for curses.

Have we ever tried cleaning the dagger? Do we have the sword?

>>42428981
>>42429017
Seconding.

>>42429029
The rust stains on the dagger don't go away with conventional cleaning and if you're referring to Nahldol's sword, then no you don't have it.

>>42429069
>and if you're referring to Nahldol's sword, then no you don't have it
awww

>>42429017
>>42429023
>>42429029
>>42429038
Stealth with Izu for cover.

>>42429090
You could ask for it, but you already sensed that it seems less powerful than your dagger.

>>42429105

>Writing, of course.

>>42429105
Not necessarily for us, unless we want to give Izu the dagger.

I think Aya might appreciate getting the sword back. Alternatively, studying the sword might help understand how the dagger works, and how to clean it.

Wonder how costly a self-repair enchantment would be on the doll...

>>42429175
All these are entirely possible, but some might not give you the result you desire.

The doll is very well-crafted so it won't break unless someone intends on breaking it, But a reinforcing enchantment can be learned and then applied to a number of things.

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3 KB JPG

>>42428363
>Extensive Necromancy always puts me in the mood.” Justina walks away with the girl in tow
The fuck is wrong with her?

>>42429348
Many, many things.

>>42429118

If any evidence came out that you were secretly working with Grievermillion, it would most likely lead to your death, so trap or not, you’re not going to let this hang out in the open.

You move to put on your armor with Izu’s assistance. Already knowing that he intends on coming with you, you decide to give him a few orders first. “Stay behind me and out of sight. And only come out if things get really out of hand.”

“Roger!” Izu responds with a wide smile and then rushes off to retrieve your cloak.

After sealing off your room and making sure you’re not being watched, the two of you head out of the palace under the cover of night, and head toward the city proper.

You take the less-traveled side paths toward the courthouse, and only pass by a few citizens most likely on their ways back home. None of them detect you, and surprisingly, Izu also proceeds through the city like a ghost, causing you to wonder if you lost him at one point.

“I’m still here.” Izu assures you through thought.

The area around the courthouse is largely devoid of activity at night, and you spot no one as you approach closer.

You wrap around the building, sticking to the shadows even with your armor’s effect still working, and stop immediately when you spot a large hooded figure in the distance.

[1/2]

>>42429597

You get closer and closer. The size is right, and you feel like you’ve seen that cloak before.

You approach with hushed steps, and when you are just a few feet away, the figure suddenly turns toward your direction with surprising speed. “Oh! Empress, you startled me. I hardly sensed you until just now.” Grievermillion removes his hood and bows deeply.

“Don’t call me that. Not yet.” You scold him, still keeping your hood on.

He flinches suddenly. “You were followed.” He whispers. “Just one, but a very cunning individual.”

You put your hand up. “He’s for my own protection, and try not to compliment him.” You practically see the smile on Izu’s face.

Grievermillion calms down slightly. “Keep an eye on your allies, but if you trust him, then so will I.” He leans his tired body against the nearby wall.

“My efforts these past few weeks have resulted in just a force just under twenty-thousand that would pledge their services to me, and thus you.”

It’s a start, but much too small to compete with the full army of Impel.

Grievermillion detects your dissatisfaction and sighs heavily. “I’ve searched for many ways to raise the numbers, but I’ve found none.” He pauses in thought. “So in service of you, Sophia, it falls upon me to break a promise I made over twenty years ago.”

He rises from the wall and bows deeply to unseen forces. “What I do, I do with the intent of helping your daughter. Forgive me.” Grievermillion turns back to you.

“There is a way to raise an army strong enough to compete with Impel’s” He states.

You lean forward with great interest, intent on not interrupting him now.

He takes one last deep breath before continuing. “Your birthright is one of the highest to ever grace these realms, Sophia. Right now, you are first-in-line to inherit the throne of Kyrean’Asils, even if your father wasn’t Emperor.”

~

>>42429629
Okay, apologies for the abruptness, but that's where I'm going to end it for tonight. As always, I want to thank everyone that played today!

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them in the thread, 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 run!

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

>>42429655
>Right now, you are first-in-line to inherit the throne of Kyrean’Asils, even if your father wasn’t Emperor.”

So Dad wasn't Emperor? What was he the heir and Nahldol's older brother and didn't get the chance case his dad was still alive?

Justinia expect anything?
Why didn't we apologize to Vicky for the necessity?
How does Griever expect us to do this?

>>42429716
To clarify, your father was Emperor. He's referring to your mother's bloodline.

Justina didn't expect anything, it felt like Sophia would apologize to Ali rather than Vicki, and he has the most direct method in mind.

>>42429740
>he has the most direct method in mind.
Meaning go there, and take it? Has he found a way around the seals then?

>>42429655
Thanks for running!
You've got me falling for Vicki now.

>>42429754
Pretty much. He hasn't found a method around the seals, but you have.
>>42429762
You're very welcome! And I can't say that I ever expected for that to happen.

>>42429655
thx 4 runin budi gud thred

>>42429892
You're very welcome, anon!

With that, I'll be stepping out for the night. So, until next time!

>>42429740
>>42429754
>>42429780
bold indeed. Definitely take the sword first if we try that.

What should we do with the 20,000? Get them in Impel? Give/coordinate them with Ali?

I wonder if the thing inside Philomena is what would have happened if Ellie accepted the contract.

>>42430129
We should hold off using the 20k until after our campaign in the maw, or during. Use them to get ud close enough to Aya to kill her and then we have her army

>>42430231
>kill Aya
....we were going to do that? Won't that cause unnecessary civil unrest within the kingdom and make the army far less effective against foreign entities, aka Usurper?

Far better that the ruling body voluntarily steps down or pledges loyalty after losing some sort of official duel.

>>42430231
>>42430257
We're saving our forces for when we turn on the Ursurper.

>>42430257
Maybe it go down like this instead, but we have the claim, Griever will vouch for it. But it all comes down to how much Aya hates us now
>>42430263
Pretty much this, we should really wait until we have Ayas army before we turn.

>>42430263
yeah, but how? Considering our position, it'll be pretty damn hard to lead them personally. We could have maybe Izu lead them, if the benefit of his shield is outweighed by the sheer dangers he'll put himself in staying near us.

But I wonder if Ali is going to have something cooked up with the humans and rebelling Impels.

.....we should totally tell her about those curse guys.

>>42430299
We'll probably inherit some generals, the humans are the wild card, I don't know there purpose yet. We should have time to talk to Ali before she leaves

>>42430319
Any bets that the Chosen One is going to fuck everything up at the last minute and take the power himself, leading the humans in a giant crusade?

>>42430331
I don't think he has the power for that, I suspect Marisa more than I do him. Who I really suspect is Izureig

>>42430367
Intriguing theory there.

Still have no idea WHAT Marissa is.

>>42430404
Shes kinda our foil. Power for the sake of pleasure, so we're probably bound to conflict. That's just if her darkness power is only in her control, who knows.

>>42430474
>Shes kinda our foil being best girl and all.

>>42430474
I meant where her darkness power comes from.

But I see what you mean. That said, I don't think there's much room for conflict. Sophia wants power, but I don't know if she actually wants to rule. Even finding out the truth about herself is more like a sidequest. Become/Confirm immortality, learn all there is to know about the realms, and then....?

Expand the network and create more realms?

>>42430529
This guy.
>>42430540
It sounds like some sort of controlled curse. The endgame is still a mystery but its coming up soon