~ CHAPTER 285

"How do you feel?" I asked Raksha'va.

"A lot better. Thank you for covering for me. It seems the city didn't burn down while I slept. Did you have any issues?" Raksha'va asked.

Raksha'va, Bella, Silva, the twins, and I were sitting in the meeting room having a quick conversation to figure out our plans going forward. Everyone else hadn't quite finished what they were doing yet, so we were planning on meeting up at Twill and Meena's smithy after this.

I shook my head. "No, there was a large monster called a 'desiccated flame treiseki demon,' but we were able to handle it as a group. Other than that, there were just a lot of the usual demons."

She nodded. "I fought one of those the night before last. They can be challenging. Are you planning on searching for the dungeon today, or do you need more time to prepare?"

"I'd like a few hours for my team members to rest, but I'd like to head out today. That's assuming that Mimi feels comfortable casting the wind magic we need to deal with the smoke and fire," I replied.

Raksha'va nodded. "I still think that it's a risk for you to head out there, but I won't stop you. If you succeed at destroying the dungeon, or at least disrupting the demon summoners in the area, that would help Traehall survive until reinforcements from the kingdom arrive."

I frowned. "That... might be difficult. We sent a rider to Norta, where some of the Tamin church is settled, and they will likely send some of their paladins and priests. However, I wouldn't count on the capital doing much of anything right now. The king is dead, and the city has been attacked by demons. They're in just as bad of shape as Goldenhearth was not long ago."

The large tigerkin closed her eyes and took a steadying breath. "That is bad news. I would normally not wish for the Tamin church to be involved... but things are dire here. I had been hoping for the kingdom to mobilize and send soldiers, but if that is unlikely... we may have to rely on them more than I would like. I suppose that finding a way to destroy the dungeon and scare off any nearby cultists ourselves is even more necessary than I thought if we want to retain any amount of control over the city."

Torien nodded. "About the cultists... We believe the particular cult that's attacking Traehall is the same one that attacked Goldenhearth and the Capital recently."

"What makes you say that? There has been a lot of demon activity in the area for a while now. What would imply that it's the same cult?" she asked.

"The attack on the Slaver's guild," Silva replied. "We don't precisely know why yet, but they killed Baron Morrister and summoned a demon to destroy the Slaver's guild in the capital. One theory is that they're trying to trigger a large-scale slave revolt and civil war in the country, but whatever the reason is, they have consistently been attacking slave trade routes and Slaver's guild buildings."

Raksha'va's claws clicked on the surface of the table as she drummed her fingers. "You think it's the same cult because of the attack on our Slaver's guild shortly before this demonic siege on our city? Does this cult have a name?"

I nodded. "The Cult of Amphores."

The tigerkin frowned. "I've heard that name before... Amphores... I'm not sure where... I'll try and look into it while you're gone. Is there anything else I should be aware of?"

"I don't know," I said with a sigh. "They summoned demons in Goldenhearth and destroyed their branch of the adventurer's guild along with many other affluent places in a simultaneous attack there. In the capital, they summoned a large demon right in the center of the market district after starting a riot by disrupting slave collars. The demon destroyed the Slaver's guild in the capital, so it's fairly safe to assume the slave records were destroyed too. The Slaver's Guild as a large-scale organization is probably ruined. They appear to have a lot of resources, but they are spread thin. They are looking for slaves with very specific features, but what we found didn't reveal what specifically they were looking for. I wanted to get permission to ask one of the groups we came with, Eira's party, to investigate the ruined Slaver's guild and see if they can find anything."

Raksha'va sighed and leaned back in her chair. "I suppose I can do that. We've kept the building off-limits for a while, and then all of this happened. If the Slaver's guild in Torlimal is ruined, that will be good news for the former slaves we've released here."

I scratched the base of my horn and sighed. "Sibyl suggested that we not let that information spread too widely yet. I heard that one of the main reasons the former slaves are helping you hold the walls was to receive protection if the Slaver's guild came looking for them later."

She shrugged. "Perhaps, but I wouldn't worry about it. The ones who are helping us fight were mostly already adventurers. The situation is dangerous, but it's also worth a lot of levels. Even if we told them that they were probably safe from the Slaver's guild, they would still probably like guaranteed papers from the adventurer's guild on Traehall's behalf, just in case. I don't think we would have to worry about many desertions, especially given how dire the situation is. If the city falls, they'll all die too. At least while they're fighting with our city guards, they have access to our healers."

I shrugged. "It's up to you. It feels reasonable to let you handle that conversation with the relevant people."

Raksha'va nodded. "Thank you." She looked up at the ceiling for a moment before refocusing on me. "Which one is Eira?"

"Eira is the cheetahkin. She has a team of mid-level fighters. We know each other through a mutual friend in Goldenhearth. I trust them more than any other teams I've worked with," I replied.

The tigerkin frowned. "I'll go with them when they want to explore the building then. If the Cult of Amphores is involved, I'd like to gather some information on them as well. We'll see if there's anything to find in that building's husk together. Changing the subject for a moment... That tigerkin, she's from the Kronil clan, isn't she? White tigerkin are rare. She would be something approaching holy to their people. What is she doing with you?"

Silva cleared her throat. "I hope it's not rude to ask this, but are you not from the Kronil clan as well?"

Raksha'va snorted. "I am not. Clan membership isn't just given to anyone of the same... tribe

, I guess you could say. I was not born in Zarcuda. I was born in the human lands of Torlimal. I am a beastkin raised by humans. Even if I wished to reconnect with my heritage, from what I've been told, they would not welcome me."

I nodded. "Kal'daeryn told me that she was a warrior of the Kronil tribe once. It stuck out to me because it was one of the first things she told me about herself, and I had recently learned some of the history regarding the war with Zarcuda. She was in bad shape when I helped her, but I haven't known her long enough for her to open up to me yet. You would be better off asking her yourself.

"She hasn't directly discussed it, but I think it's obvious that she feels indebted to Lilith for saving her," Silva added.

Raksha'va chuckled. "You have an actual Kronil warrior following you, one who feels indebted to you. I don't think you realize the significance of that, Lilith. I would give up a lot to have that kind of connection to their clan."

"Would you... like me to ask her to talk with you about it?" I asked hesitantly.

She clicked her nails on the table again, and there was a long pause between us. "Perhaps, but not yet. Let's get Traehall sorted out before I start thinking about things like that," she finally replied.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind introducing the two of you, but I don't know how she feels about all of that. She seems proud of her heritage, but that's all I could really tell you," I said.

The tigerkin nodded. "I can imagine. Is there anything else we should discuss before I let you and your friends rest? I'd like for you to come see me before you leave."

I hesitated. "There's one more thing... a high-level person named Sophin may turn up. I'd say he's about as strong as you are. If he comes, I want you to make it clear to him that you and I are friends. He is probably already aware of that, but I think it's important for you to know that he is a connection of mine. I know that a high-level person suddenly appearing may be concerning, but I want you to know he's on my side."

Raksha'va raised an eyebrow. "Your side? That implies a fight. Who are the two of you fighting against?"

"The cult of Amphores... and the Tamin church. I made it through Norta okay, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Tamin church has me on their list by now. There's a priest woman named Corrine who might be friendly with me, but she's the only one who might give us a pass."

Raksha'va turned to look at Bella. "You flinched. Anything to add?"

"...no," Bella said quietly.

She stared Bella down for a long moment before sighing and turning back to me. "Normally that would be very bad news. But at the moment, you are perhaps the best ally I could hope for. I'll keep an eye out for a Sophin, but I do not want to get involved in a conflict between you and the Tamin church. Not right now anyway. I'm not going to turn down help from either of them if they choose to give it, but I'm staying out of any fights. Keep Traehall out of it too... Assuming Traehall is still standing before it becomes an issue."

Silva shook her head. "I don't think Sophin is one to cause trouble when it doesn't warrant it. However, if the Tamin church tries to take control of Traehall, Sophin will step in," Silva said.

Raksha'va laughed. "I don't know if that is reassuring or frightening. But that is noted. I hope it does not come to that. I should be strong enough to ward off the Tamin church myself, but if I don't, it would be nice to have someone else to help me with them. I'm just worried what it will cost me."

"I should be able to mediate. The two of us have a working relationship," I told her.

"You've grown a lot in the short time you've been gone, Lilith. It's more than just the levels. You're much less naïve than you were. I can tell. You don't seem cynical for it either, a rare breed," Raksha'va said.

She stood up and pushed her chair in. "Take the time you need to rest before you head out. Time is short. Now that you've given me a reprieve, I should be able to hold the city again, but things will still be a lot harder for you if you don't leave before you burn too much daylight. You don't want to be outside when the sun goes down unless you've already managed to stop the flood of demons crashing against our walls. Be careful, Lilith. I will pray to Bollide for your success."

I sat up straight in my chair. "You are a follower of Bollide?"

Raksha'va smiled. "I am. He has even appeared to save me from my own foolishness, twice. I hope he guides your path, pathfinder." She turned around and left the room.

After she left, Morrigan stood up and crossed her arms. "If Bollide is a member of the Tamin church, that means that he just overheard our conversation now. Assuming that the gods can truly hear when you're talking about them."

I stood up and pushed in my chair. "It was Sorsette's head guard that told us that. I have no reason to believe he doesn't know what he's talking about." I looked up at the ceiling. "For the record, Bollide. I don't believe you're a member of the Tamin church."

After a moment of silence, I shrugged. "Come on, let's go see if everyone else is at Meena and Twill's place yet. Today's going to be a long day. It's best if we recharge before we leave."

Torien laughed. "Should we take bets on whether or not Meena and Twill will become succubi too? Tenna is going to ask to be transformed for sure."

"Do you think the two of them will join?" I asked.

"I'd say the odds are good. Tenna seemed persuasive," Torien replied.

"What about Kino?" Morrigan asked.

Torien tilted her head. "Eh... I'd bet no."

"I'd bet yes," Silva said. "I've seen the way that kid looks at some of us. He looks like he's waiting for an excuse."

I laughed. "Alright, enough of that. We shouldn't talk about this stuff in public." The five of us walked down the stairs and out of the adventurer's guild. The idea of adding a few more succubi to our ranks was appealing, and after a long night of fighting, I was excited for a little recharge.

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