Chapter 496: The Sword, the Lava, and the Embassy.

Chapter 496: The Sword, the Lava, and the Embassy.

I loved Auri, but waiting around while she classed up was torture. I had so many things I was far too excited about. We were done with the war! We were going home! Id be able to hug Julius and Artemis again. Id be able to see Night and Arachne! I wouldnt be constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for the next ambush, the next attack. I wouldnt be running doomsday scenarios through my head, trying to work out various hypotheticals, and mathing out who I could save, and who had to die.

Id planted mango trees before I left. How were they doing?

Then there was classing up, and I was almost salivating with anticipation. I knew I had a class similar to [Mother of Modern Medicine] waiting for me, and I suspected I had to have a few more black-quality [Healer] classes waiting. What else would there be? What flavor would they have?

What options would they give me for the future?

Best of all - what surprise did Iona want to spring on me once I woke up? I had a pretty good idea, but I didnt want to build my hopes up too high.

I entertained myself with thoughts of all the things Id do once I was back in Sanguino, building up quite the list and making sure it was all written down.

Katerina walked in through the tent door.

Bunny. I heard you had a few questions for me? She said with no preamble.

The Legata was insanely busy, and I was grateful for her stopping by to satiate my curiosity. I cut straight to the heart of the matter.

Yes. Why did you issue the order to attack the Han forces? We were super outnumbered at the time, and being second in command, Id like to know the reasoning if you happen to meet Black Crow early.

Katerina snorted her amusement at the idea of meeting Black Crow early, given her grey hairs.

I dont know how much you know about Guardians, but from what I understand, they can see guilt in a way. Maybe culpability? Either way, when a disaster strikes, they know exactly who caused it, and tend to react accordingly. The Sixth having made the lanterns and supporting the Wei would make us guilty, but if we were trying to fight those truly responsible for the atrocity, it absolved us in a sense. Hence only two harpoons sent our way, instead of the entire command structure marked for death.

I tilted my head, not wanting to push my luck - Katerina had come all the way out to personally visit while I was looking after Auris class up - but eternally curious.

The two attacks we took? I asked. She got the rest of the question.

Centurion Hans had run a competition for who could make the most lanterns. His group tripled the number of lanterns anyone else made, and it was all because of him. Legionnaire Jason had gotten into the lanterns a little more than most, and made 24 in a single day. His line hadnt gotten to battle yet, and we figure he hadnt managed to purge himself of more than normal amount of guilt in time.

I nodded.

Thank you, Legata. I told the woman.

She briskly nodded, did an about-face, and was out of the tent a moment later, off to the next task.

The sparkling lights around Auri faded away, the phoenix returning to reality.

Brrpt! BRPT! She almost immediately ditched her gothic black flame scheme, returning once again to the vibrant and bright bird I knew and loved. Brrpt brpt brpt!

Auri chattered on and on, telling me all about the world of her soul, and all the things shed seen in there, all the things shed thought about.

The class? I asked her.

Her eyes opened wide, and she smacked her forehead with a wing.

BRPT! She admonished herself.

Her eyes focused on words I couldnt see as she scrolled through notifications and offered skills.

Brrpt, brrrpt, brrrpt She muttered under her breath as she worked out the puzzle of skills, selecting which ones to take and which ones to ditch. BRPT!

She gave me the breakdown of skills and the class details.

Lava? Wow! I patted my shoulder, offering Auri her favorite perch. Tell me more!

While I attentively listened to Auri dishing the details, my mind leapt and made a connection to an old flame of mine, Serondes.

Hadnt thought about him in ages.

He had helped keep Auris egg warm, encasing it in his Lava. I had to wonder if that had any impact on Auris decision? If being wrapped in molten rock as an egg had subtly influenced her in that direction? It didnt seem insane but shed spent a lot more time being bathed in Radiance.

Humph. I hoped that wasnt the case, because Id be a little peeved if shed taken it because of that. It was stupid and a little jealous, but hey, I was only human-ish.

I remembered another part of my life. When I was classing up [Pyromancer], and I was selecting which element I wanted [Ranger-Mage] to be. In the end, I had narrowed it down to Radiance and Lava, and only narrowly had decided to take Radiance over Lava. In a strange way, it made me think Auri and I were on similar wavelengths, having both flown close to the eruption.

My shoulder suddenly started to burn, and I jumped with a small scream of discomfort and surprise.

AH! FUCK! I yelled, Auri jumping up with a start.

Brrrpt!? She asked with concern as I patted my shoulder, dousing the harmless flames before they could eat my shirt. I liked my shirt.

Very nice skill being able to turn part of your body to Lava. I praised her. It turns out I am not immune to Lava like I am to Fire.

Brrpt! Brrrrppttt Auri cackled evilly, then did a double-take at herself. BRPT! BRPT BRPT BRPT! She yelled at herself, shaking her head. She didnt mean it, but some of her bad jokes were well-ingrained pathways, and she didnt want to make them anymore. Not with her new thinking and realizations. Brrrpt?

I smiled.

Yes, Im fine. Now! Youve got Lava, which is great for what I want to do next.

I told Auri the plan, who perked right up at the idea.

Brrrpt!! She enthusiastically agreed. Brrrpt?

I eyed the Tears of Vulcan in the distance, running mental calculations, figuring the ratio of the impact of the situation, versus the chances of getting in trouble.

Wed get in some trouble, sure, but I was also getting the fuck out of here.

Alright, lets do it there. I agreed with her.

I shot over to Katerina and saluted.

Just 36 hours ago or so the lanterns around Shuixi had gone up, and the city had burned. Tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people had burned alive, screaming the whole way. Guardian Teruo had needed to intervene, the kun-pengs judgment falling on all of us.

And now I was waiting in line. Surrounded by people happily chatting away about their lives. The price of bread at market, a recent scandal in the nobility, who was sleeping with whom, complaints about the weather it was all just so mundane. I felt disconnected from it all, apart from it all. Like I was in a bubble, a world apart.

A few people tried to engage me in conversation, asking about my fancy outfit - really just a normal Han empire everyday set of clothes - but I ignored them. I just wasnt ready for the world to be quite so normal yet.

I recognized what I was thinking and feeling wasnt quite right, and chalked it up to the abrupt shift between warzone and civilian life. I should talk with Linnet or some other [Mind Healer] about it before it became a problem. See what the other War Sentinels did.

I made it to the front of the line, and put on my best charming smile, doing my best to look like a harmless healer.

Id grown up with guards. I knew how to charm them, if no one else, and get through most checkpoints.

Name? She asked.

Bunny! Here to work for a day! No goods to declare! Heres 15 arcs for the toll! I beamed as I held out exact change, doing my best to make their lives easy. Itd been trivial to hear what questions were asked and what the toll was while waiting in line.

Id also used the Creation word for Bunny, the name completely different from the language used here, so there wasnt going to be any concern about youre named what? from them.

The woman grunted, and seeing how easy I was making everything, decided not to make trouble for herself. Clean, well-dressed, a human like most everyone else in Rolland, and clearly looking like I was on a mission, I briskly walked through the streets of Lyon, taking in the sights.

It was like everything I ever thought a medieval-age city would look like. Crowded cobble streets, vendors hawking their wares with flashing magical signs, knights occasionally riding by on tall white horses, the place was wonderful. Not nearly as nice as Sanguino - they could really work on their sewage and roads - but it was like a dream.

I did get some looks when I asked for directions to the Exterreri Embassy, but hefty bribes - uhhh, unexpected additional compensation - turned questioning [Innkeepers] and [Courier Receptionists] into very helpful sources of information.

Which brought me to the estates of the Exterreri Ambassador. A grand mansion in the middle of Lyon, with the jarring, yet relieving image of several Exterreri heavy soldiers in full armor outside the gates.

I walked up, noting how many other guards were around - most of the embassies being near each other - and how many patrols were on the road. Random hooligans causing trouble for diplomats could be a diplomatic disaster, and the [Queen] clearly didnt want any issues.

That, or it was the wealthy part of the city, and the usual guards existed to protect the rich and powerful kicked in. I liked guards more than most people, buuuuut it didnt stop me from recognizing some unfortunate realities around their position in various cultures.

One of the Exterreri guards had scowl lines that were slightly less deep than his neighbors, and I walked up to him. His eyes narrowed at my approach, but he didnt say anything.

Hi! Id like to meet with the [Ambassador] if at all possible? I asked in High Elvish, not really knowing protocol.

He sighed, and his fellow guard rolled her eyes. The fact I was speaking High Elvish seemed to go over their heads, the implications missed.

You cant just walk up and ask to meet the [Ambassador]. He patiently explained. Would you walk up to a mansion or castle and ask to meet the [Baron] or [Count]? An [Ambassadors] position is similar. Now, if youd like to know more about Exterreri, we do have regular events showcasing some of the delights of the country.

I was nodding along with a vacant expression, trying my damndest not to escalate. I wanted to grab and twist his ear and hiss words inside it, but instead I had to settle for a pitched whisper.

Im the fucking Dawn Sentinel, and I need to fucking talk with the bloody [Ambassador]now. I hissed at him. Ill be happy to show you my credentials inside but I shouldnt need to explain to you the levels of shit that will rain down on all of us if they catch one of our fucking War Sentinels in the fucking capital.

Message received, a signal was fired across several neurons, and the guard practically tripped over himself opening the gate. A dozen eyes watched me enter, but it was fine. I was on Exterreri ground now.

How important is this? Do I need to barge in and interrupt the [Ambassadors] meeting? Do I need to call all the guards to present? Give me something to work with. The guard asked me as we entered the estate.

I shook my head.

Were fine. No big rush. Ill take a room and meet with him when hes got a minute, but I wont deny Im throwing a massive headache into his lap. Critically, its his headache, not any of ours.

The guard relaxed and grinned at that.

Hes a decent bloke, but I cant say I wouldnt mind him getting a few more headaches and less time, ah, socializing.

I chuckled at the image. I was sure going to parties and rubbing elbows with all the other bigwigs was important, perfectly setting himself up to know all the right people and the proper things to say for situations like these, but from my practical, just do it point of view I didnt mind him getting more work.

Right, give me a moment. I asked the guard. Let me change into something a little better.

Without waiting for confirmation I teleported into [Vault of Ages], idly noting that it was an amazing place to class up. No need to have anyone protect me! Just so long as it wasnt my Spatial class I was improving. No idea what would happen if I tried, getting flung into the endless void was one of the better options.

I rubbed the sword I was working on with a smile, then darted over to the armory. Fortunately, dust didnt accumulate or settle here, because my poor Sentinel gear hadnt seen a lick of action the entire time Id been in the Han Empire. Id barely worn it since I got it, and Harper had to be crying at all the lost cool moments.

It wasnt combat, so the ceremonial gear went on. Black scales with crimson rivulets running between them, gauntlets and greaves. No helmet - it was for show - and a pair of badges pinned to my chest completed my outfit. I shrugged and twisted, getting it to all feel just right before teleporting back out of my [Vault].

Sentinel! The guard instantly snapped to attention, instinctively throwing a salute my way. It is an honor to have you here!

I snorted my amusement, once again mentally praising the works of prior generations of Sentinels and whoever designed the armor. It was one thing to hear I was a Sentinel, and quite another to see it.

At ease. Let the [Ambassador] know I want to see him when hes got a few minutes better make it an hour, actually. I corrected myself, thinking of the scale of the problem I was about to drop in his lap.

Of course! Can I get you anything? Refreshments? Also, if I can ask, youre not a vampire? He asked the last bit as a question. I thought all Sentinels were vampires.

I could use some food. I admitted as my stomach eagerly leapt at the thought of nibbles. And only most of us are vampires. I know theres a troll, a few elves, and one demon

I wove a tale to the guard, liberally mixing in agreed-upon lies with the truth. Sentinel Invincible was far too high-profile to keep hidden, but there was only one elf Sentinel, not three. The truth and the lies mixed together made it nearly impossible for anyone to properly take aim at the organization, and it wasnt like they could figure out that our stories were rehearsed. We all had a narrow range of numbers and lies to mix in, even to our own citizens.

Smoke and mirrors.

The door to the opulent parlor burst open, the vampiric [Ambassador] impeccably well-dressed to the nines in a toga.

Sentinel Dawn! A pleasure, a pleasure! He greeted me with open arms and a bared smile, his fangs just barely touching his lips. I do wish I could entertain you for a week, but alas, I hear you need to speak with me urgently. What terrible concerns bring a Sentinel to my doorstep?

I stood up at his entrance, and not quite knowing how to treat the man, defaulted to a respectful nod of my head. Couldnt hurt.

As you may or may not know, the Sixth Legion went on a bit of an expedition to the Han Empire I started off my tale, rapidly giving him all the details. The mercenary mission, the desire to level, the sort-of-but-not-quite clandestine nature of the event. The [Ambassadors] face was a perfect poker mask, flawlessly transitioning from emotion to emotion without a single twitch or inner thought revealed.

He had known about the Sixths deployment, but the recent events were news to him. In the end he got up and clapped his hands.

Excellent! Thank you Sentinel, for bringing this to my attention before its a disaster. I will have to send your Legata a pint of lions blood or a recommendation to become a vampire simply for having the foresight to send you over. A rare trait in Legati to be sure. He bemoaned. As for you. Excellent work, but please, please, do this old man a favor and leave for Exterreri. Just thinking about trying to hide you and what the consequences would be if youre found is giving me an ulcer.

I didnt love the idea, but I could see where he was coming from. My presence here was breaking more rules, laws, norms, and conventions than I knew, and while my quick slip in and out disguise was pretty good, thered be questions if I started staying at the embassy full time, let alone interacting with the army. I was pretty sure I could manage it - Id successfully done it for years - but I wasnt adverse to going home, not after letting the rest of the Eventide Eclipse know what was going on.

As you wish, [Ambassador].