Chương 41: Chapter 40 - Contracts (Book 1 End)

Itzae sat in a small tent at the southern peak of the Hadstead mountain range. The frigid temperatures somehow did not enter the tent, and it was at a cozy temperature, enough so that she would have felt sleepy if it weren't for what was inside it. Around her were three women and a man wearing blue armour with a Fraedium gem embedded in the middle.

The first woman sat in front of the table, drinking from a cup served by the other woman who she recognized as Aurora Sayon—Nulfrae's holticulture and botany genius that made waves around half a decade ago. As Itzae was about to ink the paper in front of her where it says 'signature here', her eyes turned to the other woman. The woman wore a black dress with motifs of black feathers, a different shade of black. This woman's name was 'Bitch Raven' as the Goddess called her… or was it Witch?

Regardless, the demon-like woman was the one that had treated her baby like a pet. Lastly, the blue armoured man was the Path's security personnel. Instead of calling them her knights or warriors, they were called just security personnel. Itzae supposed this nomenclature was one of the eccentricities of the Goddess. What amazed her was that both Rand, the security personnel, and Aurora seemed to match her own prowess judging from the aura they radiate.

Now that she wasn't in a fit of rage, she could clearly see what was in front of her. Had she continued her own rampage, she would've encountered a fatal injury by fighting even just one of them. The Goddess was generous for stepping in and allowing her to live. With that last thought, Itzae swirled the quill to ink her signature onto the pristine white paper titled, 'North American Standard Job Contract'.

She did not know what 'North America' meant, if at all anything, but it could only be the runes that would forever bind her to the Goddess.

"I've signed it," Itzae said, trying her utmost best to keep her voice from shaking.

"May I see my child now?"

"Sheesh, this isn't a prison," Alex said. Itzae reflexively flinched. If it was not a prison, then was it something worse than a prison? Not that she could do anything about it as she had already signed the soul binding contract. Even without the contract, a single flick of the Goddess's wrist would sever her life away, no longer able to care for Itzli. As much as she hated it, since the Goddess had renamed her Greenie, her child must now be named Greenie.

"Raven, where's Greenie at?"

"Uh… I think he's doing a couple of laps around I-5."

"Why?"

"Grey called in and said that he needs to work off the extra food he ate."

"damn…bureaucracy… the devil within… must… stop…" Alex mumbled, barely audible.

"What was that?" Raven asked. Alex clapped her hand, turning her head back to Itzae.

"So. Did you read your roles and responsibilities?"

"I have a couple of questions," Itzae said.

"Shoot me," Alex said.

"My Lady!" Aurora shouted.

"The dragon's breath shall not pass my roots should she dare to truly shoot!"

"The dragon's vile breath shan't pass my lightning!" Rand shouted at the same time as Aurora. Itzae reeled back as she shot up from her chair. Adrenaline rushed into her veins as she readied herself for a volley of roots and lightning.

"Aurora, Rand, chill. It's just a figure of speech." Alex sighed and waved her hand to signal them to calm down. That same hand's palm slowly made its way to her face. Turning her head back at Itzae once again, she said, "You know what, just ask your questions." Sitting back down, Itzae's eyes darted left and right at the two monsters beside the Goddess. After taking a deep breath, she asked, "I read a line that said I'm to be an Air Transport Unit, operating under the Chief Operations Officer, Grey.

What tasks does this classification entail?"

"Ah, you make very good questions, Orangie," Alex said.

"Orangie?"

"Seeing it took you less than a day to go from Stronghold Hatir to Viscounty of Lois, your job is to fly back and forth to specific places within this continent to transport and deliver goods and materials via air." Alex ignored her question.

"You'll be given a mana communication device, and your call sign will be 'ATU-Orangie' when talking through the device."

"Might I presume these materials have importance to the business which you've established in this mountain?"

"Correct. Air freighters are very important." Alex took another sip of her cup.

"Any other questions?"

"What kind of materials would I be transporting?"

"Your first mission would be to transport the rubber that's been collected in the old Stormbringer capital or whatever it's called now."

"Rubber?"

"The residue that comes from the Ertha Trees." Aurora chimed in.

"May I know the grace of understanding the purpose of transporting this residue?" Itzae asked.

"I'm glad you asked, dear Orangie," Alex said.

"Our mission statement is simply to bring the twinkle of the stars to the consumers of our beverage. Without the rubber from those trees, we are left stranded around the coastal area of the Viscounty and the regions around the Hadstead Mountains. Now ask yourself this, if the people need a taste of that twinkle in a cup, how would they get it if they're in a place far away from our region? Our consumers would be up at night, look up in the sky, and say to themselves, I wish I had a cup of cub.

If in that moment, we let them despair in the middle of the night as they burn through midnight oil, then we, as a company, have failed our mission to bring the twinkle of life in our cups to the consumers. Is that not sad? Is that not a tragedy? To me that's the biggest tragedy of all. When the consumer longs for our beverage and it's not there by their table, even our baristas would cry at the thought, don't you agree, Aurora? For that reason, rubber is of utmost importance.

When we get the rubber, we shall have Star Cubs be in every corner of every town of every territory of every kingdom of every continent. Is that not a dream to be proud of? To spread the will of caffeine into this world to make it the most productive and efficient world as it could be. It shall not only empower those that work in the manual labour jobs but also the ones that read and edit their scroll sheets at night.

Post-secondary students would even be more knowledgeable as the sleepiness of night is vanquished by the twinkle that shines from above through our cups. You might ask why I just don't use you as the sole transport method. Well, my precious Air Transport Unit, Orangie, that's an issue by itself. If we rely solely on one Transport Unit, then we hamper ourselves with the inefficiency of having to constantly wait on your queue of deliveries. Inefficiency, at all costs, must be squashed.

For that reason, rubbers and multiple mack trucks are the key to […]." As the Goddess continued on her tirade, Itzae saw the demon-like woman sigh and roll her eyes, pulling out a flat metallic glossy like rectangular plate that lit up. Most of the words she was saying went over her head. What does midnight oil even mean? Why would one need to burn oil that is meant to cook in stoves? None of it made sense.

Immediately after the Goddess finished her speech, a laugh rolled into the whole tent with its volume increasing by the second. A weight pressed in on her core and heart as if an evil, vile, insidious, malevolent, wicked, corrupt, deprave laugh came from the Goddess herself. Her eyes caught a glance of Aurora. Her deranged smile grew even more deranged and insane. Rand's stern gaze grew a lightning like flavour as if charging up. Dear Frae, Itzae thought, what has she gotten herself into?

She did not know these beings captured her only offspring. If she had known this knowledge beforehand, she would have bided her time to take back Itzli. All the blame went onto the little king, Adric, who tricked her into his own machinations. Should the chance present itself, she shall take the Pandor King's life. Though, that may only be a dream as she did not know the plans of the demonic benevolent Goddess in front of her. Alex cleared her throat audibly.

"Any other questions?"

"I have a comment." Itzae raised her hand.

"Shoot—I mean, go for it."

"I believe Pandor has an understanding of the existence of your business and actively tries to undermine it."

"Huh, why's that?"

"The king has sent me this way due to the rumours of the dark flock of birds as an omen. I believe we must maintain caution when near the Pandor borders." Alex grumbled.

"Its the goddamn Pandorians again… whatever. Let's table that for later."

"Understood, my Lady. The Pandorians shall not impede on your conquest," Aurora said, smiling meekly as if she hadn't just said something that was clearly a declaration of war.

"Fear not for I shall not allow them to touch the Lady's roads!" Rand shouted.

"Grace of the light or something…" Raven said without looking up from her rectangular glowing plate. ☕︎ ☼ ☕︎ ☽ ☕︎ The carriage rocked as the horse ran at full speed by order of Alizia through the night. Creaks and crackles could be heard making their way through the joints and corners of the carriage. Alizia tried to steady her hands, still seemingly unable to stop from shaking. It wasn't Itzae that had scared her. The dragon landing on Villipente came out of nowhere, literally.

Her eyes turned down at the floor of the carriage where Pavlina, a ranker, lay unconscious with her hands tied behind her back and her feet tied to her hands as well. However chaotic their visit to Villipente might be, it was a boon in disguise as they had captured a ranker. Normally, such ropes wouldn't be of much use to contain a ranker, but if this Pandorian wanted to live, she wouldn't do anything harsh once she wakes up. Alice disrespectfully rested her feet just on top of her body just in case.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Yet none of that mattered as she finally understood what she was going up against. What scared her the most was, for a couple of seconds, everything including their breaths, the snow, and their movements, all paused. Absolutely nothing moved within that moment. With it came the heaviest feeling of dread she'd ever felt, a feeling that told her that all life was without meaning.

It whispered to her, a sword to the neck, a minute of pain, an easier road to walk. Let it all go, come and embrace this abyss. Alizia's breathing still had not recovered from the shock. She activated the calming gem multiple times, yet the calm did not come. All it did was make the memories of the whispers ever more clear.

"Even within the recluse legends, there is a hierarchy, Alizia," Alice said, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"This is the first I've heard of such knowledge." Alizia gripped the edge of the window tightly, anything to anchor herself until the dread passes.

"I don't really know myself, though, I did hear from a recluse years ago to be wary." Alice stared out the window, her fist in a clear tight knot that Alizia could see.

"The recordings of the Church of Frae are outdated. I am proof as my prowess has already reached further up than what's stated. Would beings of the highest recorded at around 1300 truly disappear?"

"Do you share the knowledge that they have not died during the wars?" Alizia asked.

"Sadly, I really don't know. But they have warned me not to anger them. Maybe they could have taken the Hadstead mountain peaks as their home?"

"It matters not as I've already designated the mountain range as a red area."

"Yet we still pass through as if it is not."

"For knowledge that must be seen through my own eyes."

"And what did that get you?" Alice asked. The conversation paused. For a moment, Alizia thought of it. What could she possibly do against a group of legends if they had allied with the Kingdom of Lyra? Apart from the things she gathered at Villipente, all Princess May seemed to be doing was just uplift her kingdom's welfare. Other cities may be as thriving as they were… which leads back to the Mage Hero that had left their court.

She wasn't stupid enough to not see that the Mage Hero had been selling 'drinks' near the square just before the dragon landed. Whether she survived the landing or not was unknown. It was highly likely she would have some form of protection based on her confidence in staying still. But the knowledge of her world brought onto the people of Lyra was what mattered in the end.

The prosperity and the 'drinks' that she had allowed Lyra to monopolize allowed Lyra to leapfrog both Pandor and Dragus in terms of soft strength. Once again, her father's stupidity doomed them all. Dragus could have the prosperity the Mage Hero would've brought onto their doorsteps. Could she really fight against this kind of economic warfare? The Mage Hero's machinations was one problem, and then there was another pitfall of recluses' existence.

"What say you of this new knowledge about Lazarus?" Alizia asked.

"Lazarus was… an impulsive one. The likelihood of him being dead is high if he had slighted one of the recluse."

"Then the information we've heard about the Pandorian knights in the northern border of Lyra must be true. They were truly looking for Lazarus." Alice nodded. Biting her lips, Alizia grew more frustrated. As more information funneled into her, the board kept changing rapidly that she couldn't predict what was about to happen in the future. Depending on how many recluse legends were in Hadstead mountain, they'd basically rival the strength of a kingdom themselves.

She also had to account for Lyra's movements or lack thereof. A lack of movement could only mean hidden pieces moving on the board.

"It seems Lyra's pointing the recluse at their own enemies for this economic expansion." Aliza's eyes stare dead centre at Alice's own.

"What do you mean?" Alice asked.

"The former Mage Hero is the key. Lyra's end goal is always economy, not power nor authority to any bordering regions. Correct?" Alice nodded again.

"Then what would be the purpose of killing 55 of our knights?" Alizia asked.

"Get on with the explanation, Alizia. I don't care to think too much," Alice said.

"Princess May has set a fire to distract us from her real movements within the board. The recluse may just be a distraction to hide the Mage Hero's involvement in her economic takeover schemes. Had you not seen the crazed fervour in the eyes of Villipente's citizens?"

"I have, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"The Hadstead mountains is known for its Star Seeking Flowers, a narcotic as classified by our administration. Villipente is rather isolated from other cities due to how far west it is, similar to Sleider's Coast on our side of the border. It is the perfect place to test such products."

"Speaking of which, I did hear that Elador and Aurora were poached off somewhere. Also heard Garrett and his crew got beaten up at Solemn Stay Inn because of Elador."

"How come I haven't heard of this?" Alizia asked.

"Garrett and his men wanted to hide their shame of being beaten by a woman in front of Solemn Stay Inn."

"Did they say what this woman looked like?"

"When they recalled, they would start screaming and lose their minds. They'd beg for forgiveness and grow silent after a couple of hours."

"Would that be a recluse then?"

"Highly likely."

"And Aurora?"

"Two of the tax collectors harassing Aurora got beheaded in the pillory. We asked witnesses to describe her being… and they seemed to also scream in fear." Alizia put a hand on her chin. Two of the same events occurred with similar effects.

"Could it be the recluse that stole both of them?"

"Technically, both Elador and Aurora were already exiled or banished from our Royal Court anyway, thanks to big fat dumbo number 1, no offense."

"It's fine. I understand," Alizia said.

"Elador was last known to be working with the Star Seeking flower and Aurora is the only one in Nulfrae to know how to grow the flower."

"Solid." Relief washed over Alizia as at least she had just figured out Princess May's plans. It would be easy to fight on this front as this was more of a bureaucratic war against Lyra's princess. There was no need to involve her father and brother. The issue was, the Lyra's princess was a shrewd one. What kind of angle would she approach to landing a spot in Dragus to sell their narcotics? Admittedly, she wouldn't be able to catch all the ones that pass through the defense she would set up.

A mountain of paperwork with sleepless nights was bound to let a few odd bugs through the bureaucratic filter. An issue could also prop up if her father ever steps in to mess up the defense, not knowing that the enemy was placing footholds into their kingdom. For the issue of the recluse legends… there was one way she could ease the pressure from that side. Legends were still legends and numeric advantage was still an absolute force in wars.

"What do you think of a truce with Pandor?" Alizia asked, noticing the slight twitch on Pavlina's hand on the floor. Alice's eyes widened.

"Would that not be treasonous against the King?"

"Then tell me, Alice. Would you follow my father's words or my words?"

"Yours, of course." Alice smiled.

"But a third of our legends still follow him for his former glory."

"Can that not be changed?"

"It depends whether you'd like to see red in the castle or not." Alice yawned. The woman in front of Alizia was the strongest legend in the Dragus court. To say such things so easily in front of her, of course she wouldn't care that what she said was treason. But that's what was so endearing about her. Alice never gave her a reason to need to read her mind as the legend would always just say what was on her mind.

"Let me think on how to make this work. I'll need to see when my dear brother leaves for another mission first."

"Pitiful Dragusians. Always thinking of killing, killing, and more killing. Your kingdom reeks of blood as its royal court only thinks of warfare as a mean to pass time," Pavlina said as she squirmed to face Alizia.

"Then it must bring you true joy hearing that I plan for my father's death, does it not?"

"As correct as you are, it does not stop the truth that the Dragus court is a vile, wretched place to be in. I pity you—" Pavlina gritted her teeth as Alice put more pressure on her chest.

"I believe you should watch your words, Pavlina."

"You fools. A Shadow Squall Squad followed us and is now on the way back to report your capture of me to my liege. Do not think your 'truce' will come easy if you kill me!"

"Are you sure about that?" Alice asked as she threw 6 badges onto the floor, all marked with the two letters: SS.

"Pfft. My liege is smart enough to deduce that the only ones that would attack Pandorians would be Dragusians!" It was true that only Dragus Court of Mist would take out Pandorians without hesitation, but that didn't matter. Alizia chuckled.

"During a dragon's landing on Villipente? I think not."

"YOU CURSED PRINCESS!" Pavlina shouted.

"KILL ME NOW LEST YOU GIVE ME THE CHANCE FOR YOUR HEAD!"

"Pavlina, you are the ranker that Adric trusts the most, especially more now that Lazarus is gone."

"SO WHAT?!?"

"Do you not vie for my father's head?" Pavlina laughed.

"The daughter of Reinglas offering her father's own head to the enemy. You must've gone insane."

"Times change, Pavlina. I mean no ill will against you and Pandor. That is of the past generation, my father's. I only want the survival of Dragus. By giving you his head, do we not form an amicable relationship with Pandor?"

"Do not run away from your own deeds in wars' past. You to have done irreparable damage to our own court." Pavlina grimaced.

"If one head is not enough, then what about two?" Alizia asked.

"Your offer is generous, but ultimately futile. My spirit will never bend to your machinations, cursed princess."

"A pity." Alizia's eyes flicked to Alice's. Alice's hand moved towards Pavlina's left index finger, extending it before bending it backwards. The snap and crunch of her tendons and muscle could be hear. Pavlina scream cut off only by Alice's fist hitting her jaw.

"If cooperation is not in the menu, then we shall have a different dish. Speak of Adric's will and I will let you live once we get to the capital." Pavlina smirked.

"Hehehe. Stop wasting your efforts in this non sensical torture. There is no knowledge given to me of plans against Dragus." Another finger bent the other way by Alice. This time, Pavlina screamed with her mouth closed.

"Then what purpose did you seek being deep into Lyra's territory?" Alizia asked.

"Vertou Labyrinth."

"I see. A truly unfortunate encounter for you, I would say." Alizia laughed coldly. It seems the people Pavilna had looked after were the Pandor summoned heroes. A missed opportunity to have gotten rid of them. Then again… it wasn't such a bad thing. The summoned heroes would be without a guide in foreign territory. Specifically for Nulfrae, the corruption still loomed in the north. Having another set of summoned heroes wasn't such a bad thing. They were, after all, the only ones able to harm the corruption's core.

Without warning, the carriage shook and stopped, causing Alizia to fall and be caught by Alice before her head hit the corner of a seat. Pavlina hit the wall and faced the floor, making squeamish noises. Horses yelled and the wind's howl stopped. The heavy snow cleared as did the sky above from the window she looked out from. Alizia got up quickly, poked her head out the window and saw a purple haze of smoke coming from the northeast where Stronghold Hatir should be.

A teal coloured pillar lit up the background of the night sky. The pillar was mixed with dark purple light interlaced within the hazey smoke forming a mushroom shaped cloud.

"That is the energy of Grumir…" Alice muttered as she had also looked out the window.

"The energy of corruption is mixed within it." Alizia pulled herself back into the carriage. Kneeling down onto the carriage floor, she picked up Pavlina and turned her body back upright.

"What happened?" Pavlina asked.

"Enough games, Pavlina. I offer you a truce and the head of my two family members. The corruption has breached Stronghold Hatir's walls. If that doesn't mean anything to you, then I shall kill you here." Alizia gripped her shoulders tighter.

"We need Pandor to survive the relcuse from the Hadstead mountains, a deterrent against them. You need Dragus to provide support against the corruption at the north. Do we have a deal?"

"Stronghold Hatir's inside of Dragus' domain. For what purpose should Pandor—" Alizia slapped Pavlina's cheeks.

"The corruption has reached the total centre of the continent. Does this not concern both kingdoms or are you feigning ignorance?" Pavlina turned her head back to Alizia, looking into her eyes. For a moment, they both just stared at each other until finally, she said, "I shall not hide my discontent, but I will work with your court."

"I don't need your kind words as long as you cooperate. Cut her ropes." Alizia said. Alice moved quickly, freeing Pavlina. Pulling out a purple potion from her pocket, she helped the ranker up onto the seat and placed the potion on her hand.

"You better thank the Princess' kindness." A third threat just appeared out of nowhere. Stronghold Hatir's walls were impenetrable… unless Itzae had rampaged and caused its walls to crack. Damn it all. Alizia's legs shook rapidly. More and more things kept popping up. She needed to get rid of her failing father and deluded brother as fast as possible. It wasn't even for the throne, all she wanted was simply for Dragus to prosper.