Drip-Fed

Reysha returned to the party in the night hours. They had waited at the edge of the cracked ice field, ready to go in if there was anything out of the ordinary. “What did you decide to do?” Apexus asked.

“Killed’im,” the tiger girl responded flippantly. “Though I am honestly still not sure if that was the best decision.” Her pale eyes snapped over to Yuzuki. “He said the Sleeping Empire would pin the blame on us.”

The Yuki-Onna scoffed. “A foolish effort to convince you. The Sleeping Empire has no need to sell out those that enact its will to avoid blame. The overseer will either silence talk about this entirely or accept the blame. The latter is more likely. Terrorising as it is, it is best to let the people know that no effort like this can come to fruition.”

Her words alone were not enough to truly convince. It would be the deeds of the overseer that would decide the matter.

They waited for the man in his bastion. It took him another two days to return from his stay in the capital of the Leaf. When he found them there, he was mildly surprised. When he learned they had already done the deed, that surprise deepened.

“I… thought you were thinking it over,” Maroaris said.

“We did,” Apexus responded simply.

“We contemplated the matter deeply. Upon review of all of the established facts, we came to the narrow conclusion that it will be a greater good to prevent the revolt than to let it occur,” Aclysia stated. “It was not a light decision nor an easy one.”

Maroaris nodded repeatedly. “One does not contemplate nor enact assassination lightly,” he agreed. “I believe the Lady of the Cracked Lake influenced you?”

Yuzuki’s part in all of this was hardly a secret. Not only had she been spotted with them repeatedly, including during the shopping for new furniture, she was also right there in the room with them. “My people are ever involved in the stability of the Leaf.”

“So they are,” Maroaris responded with diplomatic neutrality. Every dark elf knew not to upset the Yuki-Onna, especially not from a favour rendered. “Your reward, then… does 200 Platin strike you as sufficient?”

‘Half of what we got for the Ice Drake,’ Korith thought, though her annoyance at that fact remained within limits. Money was money, after all.

“I want something more,” Apexus said, to the surprise of everyone. Monks were not known for their greed and the humanoid chimera had never insisted on extra rewards for a mission before. “I want you to arrange another ball for us.”

“That… can be done…” Maroaris said slowly. “May I ask why?”

Apexus leaned back on the expensive couch as he sorted the words that had formed in his mind over the last few days. “This time, we have elected to aid you. At other times before, we have been marginally involved in politics. Then and now, the fact has emerged that questions of social cohesion are messy. They take time to answer properly. Time we do not invest. I want to speak to the ball with a simple message: that we will not be involved in missions such as these again.”

Maroaris listened for any double-meaning in those words. Perhaps Apexus was just hoping for more money or perhaps he was trying to blackmail the overseer for a favour? None of that was the case and the administrator realised that. Before him sat a truly honest man. “Politics is a dirty game,” he agreed. “I respect not wanting to partake.”

“If the Sleeping Empire wishes to hire us on matters with clear benefits, then we will continue to be available,” Apexus clarified. “On matters of this moral complexity, I am uncomfortable lending aid. I cannot stay here for long enough to see it through.”

“Understood. You want to announce that at the ball?” After a confirming nod by the Monk, the dark elf rubbed his chin. “I could write a letter to the chancellor. We can’t openly celebrate an assassination though. No matter what pretext we use, if we hold a ball in your honour so soon after you openly came here and ended the revolt, it would… inflame tempers.”

“If I may,” Yuzuki chimed in softly, but continued without waiting for confirmation. “Since this is an announcement to the entirety of the Sleeping Empire, perhaps it would be best to take this to the capital?” The Yuki-Onna made a sweeping gesture. “It would be for the best for everyone. Apexus can make his announcement and the absence of the party from the Leaf would ease the process of dealing with tensions. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say.”

Maroaris slowly nodded. “Yes… that can be arranged… potentially. I lack the sway to assure a ball happens in the capital, but I could ask the chancellor.”

“And I can pull some strings with the matriarch,” Yuzuki declared.

The dark elf stared at the smiling ice woman. “Is this why you got involved in the first place?” He openly asked the question for the benefit of the Inevitable party. Their leader had declared that he did not wish to be involved in politics. Leaving a potential viper unaddressed would have been unbecoming. “To have a reason to return to the capital?”

“This isn’t what I was aiming for originally, no, but I would be pleased to continue to be their guide. I have grown quite fond of this lot over the last few days.” She gave all four of them a long, longing gaze. “I would hate to part so soon.”

Apexus managed to pick up on the flirting this time. It was the final nudge he needed to agree to this course of action. “I agree. Let’s attempt to get a ball at the capital.”

“Very well.” Maroaris rose from his seat. “I will arrange for the money and pen the letter. You will have both within the hour.”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!