Later that day, the gates of Darkgloom loomed ahead, the stone walls streaked with soot and weather stains. Rem slowed her pace, Ciara curled against her neck with both tails draped across her shoulders, she frowned as her eyes swept across the streets. Where there should have been armored patrols of soldiers, she counted only a handful of soldiers scattered about. Their armor was dented, some had little more than stitched leather or pieced-together scraps of iron to protect their bodies.
Rem's lips pressed into a thin line. As she turned to Amaia. "It looks like the Frost Stone Kingdom is well aware of the monster problem here, Amaia. We never pieced it together when we first arrived, but now it's obvious. They have pulled their troops out of the city. What could these dwarves be thinking?"
Amaia, her helmet retracting as she studied the thin guard presence, met her lady's gaze. "My lady, it appears the Frost Stone Kingdom has abandoned Darkgloom. I would wager political maneuvering. Perhaps they want to let monsters strike first then use the attack as justification for war against the dark elves of the Underworld they can get rid of the monsters afterwards and blame the dark elves. The dwarves and dark elves keep a tenuous peace at best. Pulling back now saves them money, and when the monsters weaken this region, they can ise this blame to launch an aggressive counter-campaign underground, seizing mines and ore to feed their forges. A time-tested tactic, one the light races have used often in their wars for the Underworld's recourses."
Rem's brow furrowed sharply. "You're telling me those penny-pinching dwarves would knowingly sacrifice hundreds of thousands of lives to start a blame game war with elves? And with them, extremely fluffy and adorable foxes and a lively cat-girl… oh, forget I said those last two things. All for raw minerals? What are the light races of Elsera thinking? And especially against the dark elves, whose Queen I currently have my eye on."
Amaia's mouth tightened, her tone dry. "It is not even confirmed their queen is as attractive as you believe. I don't know why you're already speaking of her as if she is yours my lady. Shouldn't you at least gather facts before developing a… romantic interest?"
Rem shook her head, hair swaying as she dismissed the caution. "You wouldn't understand, Amaia. My certainty doesn't come from assumptions. I have sources from my collected hobbies back on Earth, one of my many hobbies is information. These sources have told me enough about the dark elves. Eve Harper Darkfire, Is the Queen of the Underworld's Dark Elves, she is the target of my desire. And I won't let the dwarves interfere with my personal interests. For now, let's report to the Adventurers Guild. We'll make it clear the Frost Stone Kingdom has abandoned Darkgloom. After what we saw at that goblin nest, I doubt it's the last we have seen of them. This may be the beginning of a horde of monsters. It may also be time to establish a human foothold here. And what better way to open negotiations with Eve than to stand as the shield defending her people?"
Amaia exhaled slowly, armor shifting as her shoulders rose and fell. "My lady, if you truly mean to take this city under your banner, you should deploy magical constructs. They would stabilize law and order faster than any empty promise. As for the monster horde that is simple enough to crush, unless you want to handle it yourself. Then it's even simpler."
Rem's voice was firm. "Correct. That is my chosen course. Don't think for a moment that I am acting on impulse. I knew the moment we found those goblins on the road that this was a case of political intrigue. Goblins left unchecked only fifteen miles from the city? And those demi-humans in that nest, cut open for rituals? Their suffering must be answered for in blood. Cute is justice, Amaia—and I am the executor and protector of all that is fluffy."
Hearing this righteous statement Ciara let out a quiet and domineering "Mew!"
Amaia's head tilted, and though her face was calm, her voice carried the edge of exasperation. "Then after the guild, I assume we'll be heading to the city lord's manor, to uncover the Frost Stone kingdoms intentions?"
Rem nodded, a small smile curling at the corners of her mouth. "That's right. We'll be making big moves in the coming days. We won't bring the Arc down from orbit, but deploying some of our forces here may be the necessary step to secure humanity's first foothold. I did not plan to do it this way, but since the Frost Stone Kingdom has handed me an abandoned city, it would be rude not to accept their gift."
Amaia let out a quiet sigh but fell in step behind her lady as they turned toward the looming Adventurers Guild hall, the streets of Darkgloom strangely empty around them.
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