Chapter 40: Hiding in Plain Sight

Chapter 40: Hiding in Plain Sight

Shortly after Daniel finished the first of his two planned nuclear weapons made with his best guesses, memories from Earth, and deduction from what he knows of the principles of their operation, some strange visitors arrived at the Citadel requesting an audience in spite of the dragons flying around. They weren’t deterred by the Citadel’s location deep in the Demon Wildlands, nor the fact that Daniel has laid low while building the nukes in hopes of keeping them almost entirely secret other than if and when they destroy the Devourer, a monster consuming the demon wildlands and eventually the whole world.

After putting his armor’s helmet on, Daniel should be extremely difficult to kill, but because he’s not a melee fighter, the visitors could still prove deadly. They arrived bearing the sigil of the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy; an emblematic symbol of a feldrok wielding all six of the fundamental magic elements.

Xyreko teleports them both to just outside of the ground floor audience chamber, where she lets him enter before they are brought in. Hekate is lounging in the ‘throne’, and she perks up when he enters. “Daniel!”

“Shhh! Whatever you do, don’t call me that in front of them unless I reveal it, please. I want to try to fish for information.”

Xyreko clarifies, “We are not certain why they have come all this way. They could be assassins posing as allies.”

Hekate coos, “Ahhhhh... Yes that makes sense.” She casts a spell, and a barrier appears around her. She grins at Daniel, and he nods. “Try not to provoke them, but feel free to pick their brains for information. Metaphorically.”

She nods brightly and eagerly. “Will do! Leave it to me... Darling.” She grins at him.

He sighs, but adds playfully, “I suppose we have no choice this time.”

She giggles, waving at the door, and the golems open the double doors gesturing for the soldiers to walk in. The soldiers, all wearing the Stalvaltan sigil on some part of their outfits, walk in cautiously. They notice that there are no dragons on the throne, but they remain cautious.

Without prompting, the captain of the squad halts the squad at a fair distance, kneeling as the others follow suit. “Forgive our intrusion, your Majesty. I am Captain Muindis of the Stalvaltan Guard’s Third Battalion Advance Reconnaissance unit, ‘Wyrmgaze’. These are my soldiers. If necessary, I shall introduce them, but I would spare you the time by speaking for them if it so pleases you.”

Hekate sits up in her throne as she looks down at the soldiers. “Well met, Captain Muindis of the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy.”

He looks up at her with a hint of surprise, and she smirks. “Oh? Am I wiser than my years would suggest?” She looks at Daniel asking brightly, “Did you see that, Darling? I surprised him with my wisdom.”

Daniel acknowledges her with a silent nod. Hekate then rocks in her seat for comfort, facing the Captain once more. “You’d be surprised with what all I know, even though I’m so young. I know how many dragons there are, I know the Demon Queen Vae personally, and I know that Fort Peony was defended by someone called ‘the Harbinger of Calamity’, all by his lonesome.”

Captain Muindis is a little disarmed by Hekate rattling off randomly specific knowledge -or claims that she has that knowledge-. But, he replies, “Your Majesty, I am indeed impressed. Though, I must apologize. I am ignorant of these lands and the rulers. Not for lack of trying, I swear it to you.”

She nods as he’s finishing. “Mm-hmm. Yes. I imagine it was difficult. I haven’t had many visitors. Just the Demon Queen Vae, some jerk face named... Goo... something..., and the dragons you probably saw.”

He reluctantly nods in agreement with her assessment. “You must be quite powerful and wise to command dragons.”

“Oh, I don’t command them. They’re more like... parasites. I can’t get rid of them.” She waves her hand dismissively at the thought. She then introduces herself, “Regardless, I am Hekate, ruler of the Citadel ever since my darling won it for me.”

“Your darling?” asks Captain Muindis. “As in, the knight behind you?”

She grins proudly. “Yep! He’s my husband. And, he’s kind and strong and wields the most powerful magic.”

“Does your darling have a name, Your Majesty Hekate?”

She scoffs. “That’s presumptuous of you to pry into my personal affairs of my loved ones in my own castle. Did you not come for an audience with me?”

Muindis bows, “Of course, you’re right, your Majesty. If you would hear my request, I would be sincerely grateful.”

She hums, scratching her chin as her tail sways back and forth. “Hmmm... Mmmm... Eeeehhhh... Alright. Speak your request, and I’ll decide what to do with it.”

He bows his head. “Thank you, your Majesty. As it turns out, we are looking for the man known as the ‘Harbinger of Calamity’. He is a human from our Grand Duchy, but he was banished through a series of misunderstandings.”

“I see. That sounds like a pretty sloppy way to treat someone if mere misunderstandings could lead to a banishment.”

“You speak the truth, your Majesty. Our trail has led us far, and includes the identity ‘Feldrok Sorcerer’, or his true name, Daniel, as if he journeyed here of his own accord, if the rumors are to be believed, to slay the Dragon Lord. We are willing to pay heavily for any information that leads to his current whereabouts.”

Hekate hums again in thought. “And, you believe this... ‘Daniel’ has found his way here?”

Muindis nods in confirmation. “This is where his trail ends. The villages around the area have not seen Daniel, and we have heard the Dragon Lord was here.”

“Daniel the Harbinger of Calamity struck down our kin.” The regal and powerful voice of Ryuogriar fills the room at a strangely comfortable volume, even though it projects to everyone when she speaks, like a natural-born Queen. She walks up alongside Hekate, still carrying her egg proudly in the carrier-harness Daniel made for her. Reignleif joins her, both standing to Hekate’s left as Daniel stands on her right. Reignleif also has her egg, similarly laid in a night of strain and cuddling with Daniel for comfort, though she is more comfortable holding her egg mostly inside of her shroud-like dress.

Ryuogriar adds sternly, “It would be strange to find Daniel here, where Dragons nest, would it not?” She grins, and the Stalvaltan guards; each one a special forces commando in their own right with magic and weapon mastery combined into one; shiver nervously as primal fear grips them.

Hekate sighs, asking dryly, “MUST you bring those with you EVERYWHERE you go?”

Reignleif clings to her egg even more possessively, murmuring, “Yes.”

Ryuogriar replies more logically, “Not must, but a profound desire. You’ll understand someday, my Lady Hekate.”

Hekate sighs, turning her attention back on the soldiers. “I agree, though. I would think I would know if this Harbinger of Calamity was roaming around my castle.”

“I see. That is an inconvenience, but ours to bear, of course. Your Majesty; if I may so humbly request, have you heard of the Harbinger of Calamity’s whereabouts more recently than the Dattakorien village?”

“I would suppose I’m like you in that matter; I have heard many things, but nothing useful and concrete. But, it’s my turn. You claim this dangerous human is in my domain. For what reason do you seek his whereabouts? Perhaps to assassinate someone?”

“Ideally, if possible, we’d like to prevent the assassination of the Dragon Lord and avoid a diplomatic incident.”

“I see. So, you intend to arrest him and return to your Empire?”

“That is correct.”

“Ahhh... But, you HAVE heard, yes? We can confirm it. With his sorcery, he struck down dragons with ease. What do you intend to do if he resists? You’re in my domain. If he resists, the collateral would be untenable.”

“I am confident Daniel will come with us willingly.”

“You just said you would arrest him. Is he a fugitive or an ally?”

Captain Muindis hesitates, pondering carefully his next words. He admits, “He is an ally of our Grand Duchy, your Majesty.”

“An ally, is it? Then what of justice? I cannot overstate that he slayed dragons, allies of my companions here. They may be parasites, but I still consider them friends, I guess.”

Ryuogriar gives Hekate a brief scowl, but resumes looming over the soldiers with her icy calm and somewhat smug gaze. Reignleif, on the other hand, couldn’t care less about the meeting, as her focus is almost obsessively on her egg.

Muindis sighs softly. “Your Majesty, our orders specifically were to return to the Grand Duchy with Daniel. I cannot speak to the logic of our leaders."

Hekate suddenly groans indignantly as she leans around childishly in her throne. "Gaaaaah! I don't get it at all! YOU said he was banished under a misunderstanding, but you acknowledge that he's an enemy of dragons, and you claim you're going to arrest him and take him back! Which is it!?" She glares at the soldiers fiercely, using her magic aura no doubt, and the flare of magical energy invisible to all but those who can detect magic -which is everyone in this room save Daniel, apparently- causes the soldiers to flinch. Between helping Daniel conquer the Citadel and training her magic with Ryuogriar and Xyreko, Hekate is rapidly approaching the level of strongest magic user in the world. Given her small size and young age, it's additionally surprising, since it's safe to assume, even if she weren't a feldrok, that she would continue to get stronger.

With her heartstopping glare, Hekate growls her finishing question to her outburst; "Are you here to bring him to justice or not?"

Daniel is unfazed by the three women treating him like a villain in the conversation. Hekate, specifically, is using her immaturity and indignance to force a terror-fueled honest answer out of the soldier, or seeing how committed to diplomacy they are otherwise.

The soldier is quiet for a long time, and he glances over his shoulder at his men. Several can’t look up from the ground. One of them seems to be praying. Those that are feigning composure are trembling lightly. In spite of their prowess in ground warfare, every one of them knows that the two dragons and the strange, fox-like girl has them hopelessly outmatched, let alone the mystery knight and the golem standing silently and unfazed by the stifling auras of the dragons and the girl.

Captain Muindis takes a deep breath, and he admits softly, "Your Majesty, I have relayed my mission as I know it. As such, were we to find evidence that Daniel has perished, our search could conclude. It would make our jobs easier, and our Lady Wenlianna could move on."

"This 'Wenlianna' was the one wronged by Daniel?"

"No. As I understand it, she's interested in his ability to work on magic tools. Our... Grand Duchy has profited greatly from monopolizing his technology. If he were unable to make it for others, that would be as good as returning him to the Grand Duchy."

Daniel thinks for a moment. Xyreko adds, “Obviously, I can do little in this scenario.”

He reassures her, “Adding enough lead shielding to the whole bomb to grant you access would vastly increase the weight. I would love to have an airplane to carry it, but it’s a long road to making all of those components to make it work without magic.”

Daniel suddenly perks up. “Hekate; you could theoretically teleport the three of us at this size, right?”

She confirms, a little unsure, but fairly confident, “I think so, but I’ll practice before we try for real.”

He nods as one more piece falls into place. “Agreed. Then, Ryuo; can you fly in your human form?”

She nods in reply, casting a brief spell that sprouts wings on her back. “Such trifles are simple, Master. I have studied many forms of transformation magic in my years of life.”

He smiles, asking next, “And, do you think you could carry the two of us in this state?”

She smirks. “With ease, Master. But, if it will reassure you, I will happily practice with Hekate.”

Reignleif offers gently, “I could accompany the three of you while she’s in dragon form as well and aid in retreat. A-Assuming Hekate can teleport four.”

Hekate nods in agreement. “I-I’ll do my best. But, we should practice.”

“Definitely. Xyreko, do you know what the range of teleportation magic is?”

“If the coordinates are known, I could teleport to anywhere in the world, assuming I have enough magical power. If you’re simply returning to a specific point, such as the Citadel’s receiving circle, the spell is significantly condensed and easier to cast.”

Daniel ponders all of the new information. “Good, good. We can work with this. So, let me just verify; are you three okay with doing these things?”

All three agree without hesitation, and he asks, “You won’t feel degraded, Ryuogriar?”

“Why would I? My beloved Master is asking for something only I can do.”

“It’s also incredibly dangerous.”

“All the more reason to ensure you come back safely.”

He scoffs, but nods in assent. “Reignleif?”

She smiles. “If I don’t help now, then I have no right to complain about the outcome.”

Hekate, still hanging from Daniel’s front, smiles and nuzzles his cheeks with her own. “Of course I’ll do anything you ask, Daniel! You're my husband, and I love you!”

He chuckles, petting her head. “Much appreciated Hekate.”

She adds sharply, “But, you’re not allowed to cheat on me ever again.”

He sighs. “I haven’t...”

“NEVER!”

“Fine...”

She smiles, wagging her tail happily as her big ears bounce with her happy giggling.

The next few days, the five of them run drills about how they’ll drop the bomb, starting with the flight to a far away location, and then Hekate teleporting them all back with the return spell. It drains her, but Xyreko suggests producing several more diamonds through the summoning circle to charge with pure mana to act as backup magic for her. It works successfully, allowing Hekate to use the return spell multiple times.

Xyreko also produces five diamonds each for Ryuogriar and Reignleif to bolster their own magic reserves, just in case. Just because they can reach it and drop a bomb doesn’t mean the Devourer won’t put up a fight. Especially if it comprehends how much danger it is in.

While reluctant about the idea, Geirahoel agrees to watch the eggs for Ryuogriar and Reignleif for the mission, since her own belly deters her from helping.

However, Daniel seeks her out for a different reason during one of the rest days for the magic users. He asks her to make a large fabric sheet stitched with ropes; a parachute. It’ll serve as backup for them all, though they should be okay. She accepts, knocking one more thing off of Daniel’s list that only seems to grow as he remembers things each step of the way.

After five days of training runs, the group gathers in the morning at the control room of the Citadel. Xyreko is with them, and she murmurs softly, “I wish there was more I could do, Master. But, I cannot get any closer to the weapon.”

Daniel looks at the flyway where her eye line is currently facing. There, the simplistic metal canister hiding the greatest monster of Earth is resting in quiet slumber.

He replies, “You’ve done plenty. But, if you’re willing, you could send an expendable golem with wings to stay at a distance and observe for as long as possible. That would be helpful.”

She nods. “I’ll send several and have them keep at range from your group. Until the magic is negated, I will be able to observe.”

“I’d recommend against having your consciousness observe directly. I don’t know how the light will affect you.”

She is quiet for a moment. She murmurs, “Master... You don’t have to be afraid.”

Daniel takes a breath and sighs. “No. I wish I could convince you all to be as afraid as I am. Perhaps...”

Hekate takes his hand gently. “We’re in this together. We won’t fail.”

He smiles, nodding.

Reina and Ryuo are with Geira nearby, murmuring farewells to their eggs in the simple bed in the control room that will house the eggs until they return; the first place they can get to after returning.

Daniel also finished the second bomb the recent night prior, so assuming the test bomb works, they will be ready to engage the Devourer as soon as Hekate, Ryuo, and Reina can rest.

He takes a deep breath, looking out over the flyway. “Wish us luck, Xyreko.”

“Good luck, My Master. Return safely before all other alternatives.”

He smiles and nods warmly. “We’ll be back before you know it.”

He looks at his three partners in the mission. “Ryuo, Reina, Hekate; are you ready?”

Hekate laughs boisterously. “Of course I am! I’m ready to save the world!”

Ryuogriar and Reignleif both stand up. “Ready, Daniel.”

“Ready, Master.”

They put their hands together in the simple team gesture Daniel showed them. He says sincerely, “Xyreko is right. Our first priority is making it home safe. Relax and do everything the same as we practiced.”

They nod and pump their hands together with a simple cheer.

It is the dawn of the secret nuclear age of the world of Zenkon.

One pioneered by a mechanic jack of all trades, master of none.

***