Chapter 180- The Den of Wolves

Chapter 180- The Den of Wolves

[Keeno POV]

Looking around the large auditorium-like room I couldn’t help but feel a disgusting, skin-crawling feeling at the sight of such corrupted souls. Granted there were a few that were grey and an even smaller number closer to white than black, but the repulsive feeling of corruption nearly drowned them out completely. It made me sick.



‘Lady Keeno...I feel unwell. This muddy feeling, I’ve never felt something like this before.’



‘Trust me, the sight is even worse. Be glad you just can’t see it yet.’



Our telepathic conversation ended when a man dressed in a Vanir-style all white suit stepped up to a small raised podium.



“I, Lord Ign Orant, commence this meeting! All my fellow nobles, we have gathered here to hear what Margaret Nearl, Commander of the Eclipse Knights, has to say in regards to the disappearance of our blue-blooded comrade as well as the state of Odeen. We shall also discuss the identity and visit of her mysterious guest. Afterwards a ball will be held in hopes that the Mysterious Miss will join us so we may all become acquainted.”



After the small speech with hidden meanings thrown unstopped down and motioned for Margaret to step up. She did so and a spotlight coming from seemingly nowhere focused on her.



“Lady Nearl, please explain the disappearance of our comrade. Why were you and your proud Eclipse Knights unable to successfully escort him home?” (Ign)



“He fell gravely ill in Odeen as we made our way back and his condition only deteriorated once we entered Lokir’s borders. Even with the assistance of the healer we managed to acquire while there, things continued to worsen. We also ran into some foul luck while on the road and were attacked by a monster I’d never seen before. It swooped from the sky and destroyed his carriage and completely obliterating him. We did our best to slay the beast and succeeded. But the cost was grave as the speed of the monster was so great, the only thing left of our charge was a bloody mist floating away on the desert breeze. If you do not believe my words, my comrades have brought the remains of the beast to The Guild. The can corroborate my story as they had witnessed the entire event.” (Margaret)



“Very well, we shall send a representative to the Guild later today to review your story. Now, the Odeen matter. We have received some reports from our people abroad that extreme turmoil has broken out across our neighboring nation. Can you explain?” (Ign)



“Firstly, for our original purpose in visiting Odeen, in blunt words, it was an absolute failure. The king was shrewd and any cooperation we offered was met with rules so strict it would be easier to put out the flames burning in the desert.” (Margaret)



Murmurs broke out amongst the mongrels while I held in a snicker.



“That aside, any cooperation is, in my opinion, completely useless at the current time. On our final day in the capital, King Baldr Odeen was assassinated and the country’s Dead Zone vanished. The land itself also began to experience an, enviable, endless snowfall. I know not if it still continues now, but upon our flight from the country it had not ceased. Not only that but I believe the Prime Minister was also killed, so the country has fallen into complete anarchy.” (Margaret)



More murmurs broke out with several of the louder voices hinting at wanting to take some of Odeen’s land for themselves. It was then another noble spoke up after the noise died down.



“What about the so called Death Dragon? Was Odeen King not protected by such a ferocious beast?”



“We never saw a dragon in our time there. From the way some of the knights spoke, it either died many years ago or was never there in the first place and was just a way for Odeen’s king to keep his citizens in check. Some even let slip of an assassin organization that could have been the dragon in the rumors, though, if my opinion is acceptable, I believe that there once was a dragon, but it left Odeen long ago and its king used the legend to his advantage.” (Margaret)



Another noble then spoke.



“In your opinion, Miss Nearl, would it be beneficial for us to mobilize a force to ‘assist’ the people of Odeen?”



“No. The people there were unequipped for the kind of weather they faced, and we, as a country who have equally lacking experience in said weather, should not do anything to risk making it even worse for them as well as wasting our already small amount of resources just getting through the desert on top of supplying a small portion of a country already in decline for practically nothing. Even as a humanitarian effort it would fail.” (Margaret)



“Your opinion from personal experience is noted. We will discuss this in more detail later. Now, if you wouldn’t mind, please introduce your guest.” (Ign)





“Ah. Pardon me, but I neglected to mention that my people are also quite defensive. While we are welcome to outside aide, we’d like to preserve our dignity and culture. If we perceive a threat to that, we may act out in quite the violent manner. That small quirk extends to me as well, so if I offend any of you or cause physical harm, I apologize in advance. I may be ignorant when it comes to many things regarding the world outside my country, even I am unwilling to budge on this. Just as I may unintentionally slight you, if you slight me, I will see it as an action against my home.” I smiled and saw some nobles visibly flinch. “I am willing to wage war on my home’s behalf, so I’d think twice about putting into motion a few of the plans I could see in your eyes. Now, if you excuse me, I shall go prepare for that ball you have invited me to. Thank you for your time, gracious nobles of Lokir.” (Keeno)



I stepped down from the podium and left the room, Margaret two steps behind me.



‘Hmm. I didn’t expect that. Now you have full justification to retaliate in any way you see fit and face no repercussions else they cut off the only way they can see to possibly get rid of a persistent problem.’ (Margaret)



‘That’s what I was going for, but only a few actually believed my words. Especially among the ones that were actually listening and not just undressing me with their eyes.’ (Keeno)



‘I was monitoring Lady Sif and she seemed to be highly interested in you. Especially after that display. I expect she’ll be at the ball and will want to talk to you.’ (Margaret)



‘Perfect. She’s the only one I actually wanted to talk to. Out of pretty much everyone there, her soul was the least corrupted.’ (Keeno)



‘I’ll be attending to, so I’ll be able to run interference that should allow you some time with her.’ (Margaret)



‘That’d be perfect.’ (Keeno)



‘I’ll see it done then.’ (Margaret)



We eventually ran into someone who seemed somewhat important and asked for a room to rest before the ball began. They gladly led the way to a room down a long, dimly lit corridor. The room they led us in was quite posh and we were told that if we needed anything, to just ring the small bell on the table. Once the guide closed the door, a faint sweet smell filled the room.



“Margaret, eat this. It should counteract anything they throw at us for the rest of the day, poison wise.” (Keeno)



“Greatly appreciated.” (Margaret)



Like this we spent a few hours relaxing before the ball began.



Chaos Realm:

Luna: Wow. I know they are dumb, but filling a room with aphrodisiacs just after a threat of war? There is stupid, then there is this.

Believe it or not, this was set up before that. Whoever came up with it is going to be in for a rude awakening soon.

Luna: Dancing in iron shoes?

Heated iron shoes.

Luna: Oh fun.

I’m just ready for the hellhounds.

Luna: Oh...that will be interesting. Will they do it secretly, or blatantly?

My bet is on a mix of both.

Luna: Then I’ll be on secretly.

Your on.