Before the Storm: Act 5, Chapter 21

Before the Storm: Act 5, Chapter 21

Chapter 21

What does that one say?

Super Addictive Beef Fried Soba.

Does that mean it contains poison, my lady?

Lady Aura gave her a funny look.

Why would they poison the food? She asked.

Some people willingly consume poison, Ludmila answered. Alcohol is the most prevalent example. There are all sorts of poisonous materials used in food. Most of the effects are minor when taken in moderation and many are considered welcome.

What the sign means is that the foods so delicious that its addictive, Lady Aura told her. Im not a Cook, so I cant appraise food for poison. None of the recipes should create a poisonous consumable, though

You have our assurances that none of this food is poisonous, Lady Zahradnik.

Ludmila looked to her left to find Miss Alpha standing nearby. She lowered her head slightly to the Maid.

My apologies for the misunderstanding this morning, Miss Alpha, Ludmila said.

No, Miss Alpha shook her head, it is I who should be offering an apology. To strike a guest of Nazarickas a member of the royal household, I should know better than to act so rashly especially against someone with whom I was already familiar with.

I dont believe your actions were inappropriate for the situation, Ludmila replied. A household answers to the will of its master first and foremost.

You are most kind to say so, my lady.

Would you happen to have any recommendations out of these food stalls, Miss Alpha?

The Maid came closer, adjusting her spectacles before scanning the signs overhead.

Much like the festivals that my lady may be familiar with, she said, the food being offered is meant to be enjoyed as a part of the experience as a whole. I can guarantee that everything being served will be delicious, though I suppose what race each food item would be delicious for is the question. Lets see, for a Humanif youre looking for something hearty, I would recommend the fried soba or a beef bowl. Lighter fare would include the fried octopus or fried chicken. If you desire something sweet, Id suggest a crpe or baked sea bream.

I still have no idea which stand is which.

What about you, Lady Aura? Ludmila asked, What will you be having?

HmmI think Ill go for the fried soba and the baked sea bream.

Ill have the same, Ludmila said. Our time is limited, after all. I can always investigate the rest later.

When they finally reached the head of the line, the masked fellow manning the stand bowed respectfully to Lady Aura. The Dark Elf Ranger raised a finger.

One Beef Fried Soba, she said. Make it a large!

Lady Aura came away with a huge rectangular plate and a giant grin on her face. Ludmila stepped up to the stall and placed a coin on the counter.

One Beef Fried Soba, she said. Just a normal portion, please.

She received a plate roughly half the size of Lady Auras. The masked stand operator stared at her silently.

My change? Ludmila prompted.

The masked man shook his head.

What?

You dont get any change, Lady Aura said.

but I paid with a gold coin. Surely this food doesnt cost a whole gold coin.

Huh? What are you talking about? Its only one gold coin. Thats cheap!

How was that cheap? A gold trade coin was enough to pay for half a years worth of dinners at a decent restaurant.

Once, when they were children, Clara had rambled on about something called inflation. It was something that made goods more expensive over time relative to currency, so had that mystical phenomenon resulted in this plate of noodles selling for a gold coin?

Lets line up at the next stand, Lady Aura told her.

Ludmila held back her tears as Lady Aura led her away. She didnt feel like eating anymore. It was a good opportunity to embrace her Undead nature and fast for the duration of her stay in Nazarick.

I should at least eat this dish. Its by far the most expensive meal Ive ever bought for myself.

Since a child had chosen the food, Ludmila expected them to be suited to a childs taste. She wasnt wrong. The fried soba, which came in some sort of rectangular container, was a mix of noodles, diced vegetables, and meat slathered in a savoury sauce. The red sea bream which also cost a whole gold coin was unexpectedly a type of baked pastry in the shape of a fish. After taking a bite out of it, she found some sort of sweet reddish-brown paste inside.

This is a dessert?

Theres no such thing as dessert in a festival, Lady Aura told her. You eat whatever you want, whenever you want. Thats part of the fun!

I see

It did seem to be the case. Everywhere around them, Nazaricks denizens were enjoying themselves without any sense of procedure. The festivals she was accustomed to had a more formal structure to them, though she supposed it was a practice necessitated by the limited resources available to host events in the past. Given what she had seen so far, she doubted that Nazarick shared similar issues.

By the time they returned to the Sorcerer King, his entourage was ready to move on. The crowds made way for them as they headed to the venue where the coming performances were to be staged. A modest, yet well-crafted auditorium had been fashioned in a field at one end of the festival grounds. Unlike the arena, there wasnt a booth reserved for the Sorcerer King, but there was a section of clearly superior seating near the front and centre.

Ludmila took her place with Lady Shalltears coterie, which occupied the Sorcerer Kings left. A slight sense of unease filled her when she noticed her liege gesturing for her to join her. Ludmila made her way over and lowered her head.

How may I be of service, my lady?

Lady Shalltear gave her a reproachful look.

Theres no need to be like that, my dear, she said. Lord Ainz has personally requested your presence at his side.

Ludmilas gaze shifted to Lady Shalltears right. She had assumed that the seat would have been occupied by Lord Mare or Lady Aura, but the twins were on the other side. Ludmila swallowed and presented herself before the Sorcerer King.

Umu. Have a seat, Lady Zahradnik. I would like your thoughts on the upcoming performances. As you may have noticed, there is a distinct lack of feedback from those outside of Nazarick.

I am at Your Majestys service, Ludmila replied. If I may ask, what aspects of the performances should I be paying attention to?

Please be at ease, the Sorcerer King told her. I simply desirean assessment. Yes, an assessment as to whether this festivals offerings would be well-received in E-Rantel.

She breathed an internal sigh of relief. It seemed like a reasonable enough request. After one last look at Lady Shalltear, who simply smiled back at her, Ludmila settled into the empty seat beside the Sorcerer King.

If I recall correctly, she said, the Royal Court put forward several proposals for city festivities. I havent heard of any developments concerning them since midwinter.

I deemed the plans too rash to implement, the Sorcerer King replied. Or perhaps too one-sided would be a better way to put it. I was surprised that there was no real feedback from the local leaders considering that all of the plans demanded that the city be turned upside down with urban restructuring.

The local leadersif Your Majesty is referring to the Guilds, thats hardly surprising. They arent Nobles, after all. E-Rantel was formerly under House Vaiself. The Provost and his administrative staff managed the city on the Kings behalf and the Guilds merely adapted to any changes in policy.

So you mean to say that the city leadership is so passive because they were never the leadership in the first place? That would explain the lack of resistance to any changes we made in the city.VIssịT n0(v)eL/b(i)(n).com for the best novel reading experience

They are the leaders of their respective organisations, Ludmila replied, but the Guilds are subservient to local law and have no legal right to influence policy. A festival is merely a business opportunity for them to exploit.

Do you not believe that the organisations overseeing local industry should have some say in policy? The Sorcerer King asked.

Not in a legislative capacity, no, Ludmila answered. Of course, they may petition the administration if they so desire, but time and experience have shown that they always try to turn any situation to their advantage. If they were allowed to enact legislation, that legislation would similarly work to their benefit. Their present role as regulatory bodies for their respective industries is sufficientspeaking of which, none of these festival stands would be allowed to exist in E-Rantel without the permission of the Guilds.

I-Is that so?

Captain, a Tiger Beastman rose from one of the desks and came forward to speak in a low voice, Prince Bajirao is here.

What for? The Captain snarled, Does he think that coming here personally will improve things somehow? Having the Prince looming over our shoulders is the last thing we need right now!

His escorts can probably hear you right through the walls, sir.

He turned away with a snap of his teeth. Though Ludmila wasnt too familiar with Beastman body language, the Captains frustration was evident. The night had probably not gone well for him. He visibly settled himself before entering a side office where a trio of Tiger Beastmen awaited him.

Captain Patel, the towering visitor in the middle nodded.

Your Royal Highness, Captain Patel lowered his head. Since youve come here personallycould it be that a ransom demand has been made?

No, the Prince answered with a rumble. Considering how long this operation has taken, Ive decided to lend you two of my best. Strange rumours about my sisters disappearance have begun to spread across the isles and they must be put to rest.

Could these rumours perhaps assist us with our search?

No, its just the usual ridiculousness that surrounds celebrities. As ridiculous as they are, however, they still have very real consequences.

Wed appreciate such highly qualified assistance, Sir, the Captain said. But I must make it understood that this case is the jurisdiction of the metropolitan police and not that of the royal household.

Of course, Captain Patel. I only ask that you make the most out of their skills so we may all return to our regular lives as quickly as possible.

Ludmila knew that it was just a theatrical production, but she couldnt help but examine the panoply of the cast. The Beastmen were far removed from those in the tribes west of the Draconic Kingdom. They all wore uniforms filled with iconography aplenty, suggesting a long-established society with a high degree of public order. The Captain who seemed to be a member of something like a city militia also showed no hesitation in drawing lines of authority. This spoke volumes about the separation of powers and how prevalent the rule of law in this Beastman society was.

Your Majesty, Ludmila asked in a low voice, does the setting in this production exist somewhere in the world?

Not that I know of, the Sorcerer King answered. But I wouldnt be surprised if its at least partly based on something somewhere.

Id like to visit such a place, if so, Ludmila said. I feel that there would be much to learn from them: especially when it comes to how advanced societies facilitate coexistence between its member races.

Captain! Squad Twenty-Sevens found something.

Could you be a bit more specific? Captain Patel grated.

A Mugger was found trying to sell some garments she obviously had no business possessing in the understory. They could be from Princess Ramani.

Where did they find him?

At one of the markets near the outlet of the Mahim Canal. She claims that someone traded it to her for a bolt of jute cloth when she was clearing her plot on the riverbank.

A trade that any Merchant would envy, the Captain grunted. It sounds like our kidnappers are going to try to sneak through the cordon with their prize.

Yes, sir. Were closing the noose on them now.

Captain Patel rushed out of the office. The princes two retainers stalked after him on silent footsteps. The illusory backdrop went by as the group travelled to their destination, eventually stopping at a huge pipe that emptied into a broad, silt-laden river. Captain Patels snout twisted in what could only be an expression of disgust.

Dont tell me they went in there

We have a confirmed sighting of the princess, sir, one of the Beastman officers at the site said. We sent a squad in after them. A dozen more are moving to cover potential exits along the way.

Good, Captain Patel said. I cant wait to

A roar echoed out of the pipe, followed by the sound of a violent scuffle. The Captain and his comrades shared uneasy looks in the long silence that followed.

The squad isnt responding, the officer said.

Prince Bajiraos retainers jogged into the pipe.

Wait! Captain Patel held out a paw, Damn it all! Im going in after them. Stay in contact.

Yes, sir, the officer said.

The skies of the Sixth Floor turned pitch black as the Captain made his way into the underbelly of the jungle metropolis. Fortunately, the production had decided not to emulate whatever the Beastmen were smelling. They rapidly made their way through the sewers, their steps slowing to a stop when they came across a junction littered with corpses.

What the The Captain breathed as he examined the scene, These are all our people. Just who the hell made off with Princess Ramani? Hey

Captain Patel sighed upon discovering that the two retainers had resumed their pursuit without him. By the time he caught up with them again, they had caught up to a Tiger Beastman scaling a rusted ladder.

Ludmila frowned as she scanned the stage. It didnt look like there was anyone else with him.

Pravin, one of the retainers growled, how dare you spit upon the Kings benevolence! What have you done with the princess?

Their target continued his ascent without replying. The second retainer made a slashing motion with a claw. A screech filled the air as the ladder was separated from its fastenings, dumping Pravin into the channel below.

There is no escape! The retainer said, Tell us what you have done with the princess and we will grant you the mercy of a swift death.

Hey, Captain Patel said, weve had this thing called due process for the last few centuries.

This one has already violated our most sacred values! The retainer spat, The punishment for his taboo is already ordained.

What do you mean by th

A hulking figure materialised from the shadows, laying one of the retainers low with a powerful slash of its claws. Captain Patel was sheared in half by the backhand and his two halves fell into the sewage with a shallow splash. The shadowy ambusher pounced on the remaining retainer, overwhelming the shocked Beastman in a flurry of teeth and claws. When the carnage ended, a hooded figure clothed in bloodstained jute cloth stood alone in the light.

I didnt want this, the figure sobbed in a distinctly feminine voice.

Ramani, Pravin said, we need to find another way out!

The hooded figure sighed and looked up at the bent and broken ladder.

This is still fine, Princess Ramani said. We wont be able to get out any other way, anyways. Hold onto me.

The Beastman princess scooped the much shorter Pravin up into her arms. A single, powerful, leap launched them to the severed end of the ladder and the next jump brought them through the opening above. The princess set Pravin down again, and together they walked through an overgrown grotto toward a light in the distance.

What will we do now? Princess Ramani asked.

This cave should lead us out of the city, Pravin said. After that, theres a Mugger I know that will take us to the mainland. It will be impossible to find us after that.

And then?

And then we can be happy! Pravin said, We will make a new life for ourselves somewhere far, far away where your family cannot reach!

What in the world am I watching?

Ludmila wrestled with her feelings of disgust over the storys developments. From what she could tell, a selfish princess was embarking on an unwise elopement. She had killed two of her familys loyal retainers and an unknown number of local militia, including Captain Patel. Ludmila could only shake her head at the folly on display, praying that it wouldnt be a bad influence on Lady Aura and Lord Mare.

The two Beastmens steps grew lighter and quicker as they approached the exit of the grotto. Then, Pravins head exploded.

Pravin! Princess Ramani screamed.

A dozen Beastmen emerged from the vegetation surrounding the grotto entrance. Prince Bajirao stepped forward from the encirclement as Princess Ramani collapsed into a sobbing heap.

It didnt have to be this way, sister, the prince said. You knew very well that this couldnt be.

Damn you, Bajirao! Why did you have to kill him? We were going to be happy together

Prince Bajirao sneered at his sisters grief.

Your fame and popularity have caused you to forget your place, Ramani, he told her. I can only consider it a fortune that this lesson in humility comes at so low a price.