A great deal happened after Croix and Celestine joined hands to destroy the main power source.
The fortress began to fall. An object with such size would cause major damage should it fall and Gryphon’s Reach was right below it. To make it worse, Rostov the Blanket activated the self-destruct sequence for maximum damage.
Fortunately, there were those with good heads on their shoulders among the strike team. Tinade, the maid of House Valentine and a powerful Level 4, had seized the control room and steered the fortress so it wouldn't fall on top of the city. The self-destruct sequence was disabled by the combined effort of Prince Lutz and Prince Vadym.
But it was clear it wasn't enough and the fortress would still cause damage at some part of the city’s edge. The Duke took care of that, by kicking the falling fortress away.
The Duke’s kick, the rampage of Prince Cassian who lost one of his prized Rank 4 Deva monsters let out all of his rage at the Empire’s soldiers, and the final clash between Stratos Gaelos and Red Eyes, fractured the already damaged massive fortress as it fell.
Gryphon’s Reach fly-capable elite knights came to the rescue. After the fortress they were attacking retreated because of Croix and the other’s efforts, they arrived to the aid of the bruised and battered strike team members.
Like the eagles in Lord of the Rings, they carried the heroes back to the city where the masses gave them a hero’s welcome. The duchess herself came to receive them, giving her beloved daughter a motherly embrace.
“The daughter of House Valentine has returned!” Tinade shouted, and the crowd cheered. It seemed House Valentine seemed to be a good ruler and well supported by the citizens, Viers thought.
A few days later, while the young heroes of Latias received the best welcome and treatment at the ducal palace, the winter weather that was caused by the three fortresses had dissipated. Under the sunny sky and seen by uncountable eyes, the award ceremony was held.
The Duke commended the city’s valiant garrison, then the knights in his entourage, and lastly, the young Grand Prix contestants who were crucial in turning the tide of battle. It was a grand and lengthy proceeding but it couldn't be helped. The gifts were quite extravagant too, especially to the ones with special merits in the battle.
Farley, Paina, Stratos, Tinade, and Ciel were at this tier, along with several others.
Above them were the five princes.
It wasn't only because of political reasons, each of the five majorly contributed to achieving the victory they all enjoyed.
Viers and Boram were among the strike team members, clapping as Croix received a medal from the duke with Falmerion at his side. It didn't bother Viers in the slightest. He achieved his goal at the battle already and reaped a lot of benefits.
People might ask questions if he and Boram weren't with accolades, such as what they were doing. Fortunately, the abundance of the Empire’s soldiers worked in his favor.
Viers destroyed a few power sources along the way and while Theus and Boram were battling inside his Domain, many enemies came swarming. Viers took care of them. Ciel even saw the aftermath after she woke up. It appeared as if he and Boram were fighting valiantly to protect her.
Viers got the ‘standard’ strike team reward from the duke. Not bad, but it was a petty change for someone with pockets as deep as Viers. He already possessed land in Zetel and the Rashin Electric Power Company generating revenue for him.
Besides, the battlefield itself was a fertile land for loot and opportunities.
He absorbed a lot of souls, close to three digits of human souls. That was before Farley added a lot of dragon souls that she slew. Viers was always in the market for souls and he would gladly pay her for it. They were lesser dragons but soul was soul, Viers got plenty of uses for them. One-fifth of them all already covered the power he spent for Farley and Boram’s usage of Arcana Links.
He also had an Arte called the Proof of Death. This Arte was power-stockpiling type blood Arte. The way to fill it was by absorbing the blood of the people he killed himself. Human blood worked best. All the enemies he slew resulted in the solid appearance of the third wing mark at the back of his left hand. The more the wings indicated more power.
The loot was not too shabby either. The Empire’s soldiers he faced at the fortress might be like Stormtroopers -just the cannon fodder- and their equipment was mass-produced low quality too but he wouldn't say no to them. He took them, bodies and all. Rashin Company and the Hanged Man could use the equipment, sell them, or turn them into raw materials, Viers didn't care.
The cadavers would go to Dia and Zerri, the surplus would become fertilizer for the Biome, enriching the land. Viers liked making his enemies ‘back to nature’.
He got some high-end loot too, mainly from Theus Mercea. Most of them belonged to Boram and he let his disciple keep the ones he wanted and exchanged with Credits those he didn't. Viers’ magnificent Shop of Wonders used Credits as currency.
Fufufu... War is a profitable business.
Viers knew growing a Pathseeker meant resources, resources, and resources from the xianxia stories he read so he geared himself to be able to utilize those resources as efficiently as possible. Work smarter, not harder. He picked his target well and efficiently gained a lot while minimizing risk and spending. During this battle, Viers’ Victa usage was quite little and suffered very minor damage.
Of course, money wasn't Viers’ main concern. Those money and cultivation resources, soul-searched wisdom and experiences, he would turn them all into power. His power. Ideally, into absolute power, somewhen in the future.
After entertaining his private thoughts to cope with the boredom of standing for hours, he glanced at the strike team fellows next to him. It was clear the original sixteen groups of the Grand Prix had less people.
War was a costly business where human lives were the currency. The strike team suffered deaths, almost 40% to be exact. They were the best of the best of this generation. The loss of such brilliant young lives for the nation must have stung. For those losing their friends and comrades, Sorrow must be still in their heart but they presented a brave face for the public.
Red Eyes... to think the guy I encountered at the Magisterium Tower was here. Who knows how much it would cost me if we met up there? I should thank my lucky stars.
Viers later found out about Red Eyes. A member of Warbringers, the cult of Chalchar, the Devil God of Fire and Destruction. He’d felt Red Eyes was a dangerous individual since they first met.
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Slowly, the ceremony came to an end. It was essentially presented that the duchy was victorious and the invaders were kicked in the butt and scampering back home.
Truth was, it wasn't that simple. Viers knew this.
That evening, there was a feast. A victory party arranged by the Duke. The Latiasans loved parties. As the star of the show, the strike team members couldn't not attend and so here he was. The surrounding lords and ladies of the realm came, throwing their support for the duke against the invading Harkelan Empire.
Croix and the other four royals were swamped by the quests. Viers left Croix and Falmerion fighting the perfumed nobles with wax smiling faces and forked tongues on their own. It was cruel, but Viers couldn't enter that viper pit. He was allergic to socializing with strangers.
“Toast, to the Fairies of Victory!”
Team White, Farley and the others, also became the center of attention. Farley’s dragon-slaying performance at the beginning of the battle was awe-inspiring and the musical performance by Paina near the end not only gave Croix and Celestine the push to finish the fight but also gave magical buff to many other allies that were faltering.
They still wore masks but elegant masquerade masks, each wore a different kind, stylized to fit the wearer. The young bucks drawn to their charm and beauty came in droves, seeking their affection.
Seeking respite from the attention, Sakuya retreated near Viers at the edge of the party hall.
“Otsukaresama,” Viers whispered, giving her a glass of drink.
“Thanks”, Sakuya took it gratefully. “They are calling us Fairies of Victory, ufufu. I didn't do much, though.”
“Don't sell yourself short. You wounded a Level 4 and made her retreat, cheers,” Viers raised his glass at her. “Still, Fairies of Victory... I know some Goddess of Victory myself.”
“Really? What are they like?” Sakuya grew curious.
“They are... jiggly.”
Remembering Rapi and Anis, that word came to mind.
“Jiggly? What do you mean?”
Viers only gave a mischievous smile.
“Mou!” Sakuya pouted a bit and changed the topic after a while. “We got involved in something big, haven't we? I wonder how Yayoi is doing right now...”
Sakuya thought about her niece who was more like a sister that came with her to this continent.
“Don't worry, Jessica is looking after her. Enjoy the party.”
“Okay.”
Sakuya went back to join the other three. It was just as Clarissa gave a slap to a low noble who got touchy. What an idiot.
After Sakuya left, Ciel approached him and Boram.
“Can I have a minute? I have something to say to the whole team. And I need a break from the party,” she said.
“Alright, I’ll tell His Highness,” Viers replied.
“Boram, can you do it? I have a little matter I need to discuss with you Master. Follow this to find us,” Ciel conjured a little bird of light that perched itself on Boram’s shoulder.
“I will,” Boram said.
“Shall we?” Ciel asked Viers.
“Lead on.”
Ciel and Viers traversed the ducal palace. Her home. It was only natural she knew her way. The noise from the party faded quickly as they went further. She led them to some sort of study, where there were lots of filled bookshelves, cushy sofas, and a fireplace.
“Here will do just fine,” Ciel lit the fireplace with a flicker of light from her finger.
“What can I do for you, my lady?” Viers smiled, giving a bow like a servant.
“You’ve done plenty. Here.”
Ciel gave Viers a key. A golden key with a very complex mystic engraving.
“This is?”
“When we were at Valkut, we made a deal. In exchange for your help, I promise you access to a place that might contain a clue to become Level 6. This key will let you access said Biome. My family kept it closely guarded for obvious reasons.”
“Well, well, well.”
“Sorry it took so long. In my defense, I’ve only just now returned home.”
“I’ve never doubted you.”
Viers pocketed the key and the two exchanged small talk while waiting for the other two of their team. He also asked for more information about the sealed Biome. He wouldn’t go inside anytime soon. It was dangerous for even Level 5 according to Ciel and he wasn't even close to Level 5.
For now, having the key is enough.
While he was talking, Viers secretly gauged Ciel.
Viers found out about the love potion from soul searching Theus but by then Ciel already saw his face and so too late. He observed her for abnormalities since then.
There aren't any changes in her behaviour after the love potion. How does it work when the person is already in love with the target? Perhaps it is not even working? Who knows what kind of defenses a duke’s daughter and a Silver Legionnaire have against such things in the first place. At any rate, too bad, Theus. Rest in peace.
It wasn't long until Croix and Boram joined them.
“My friends, I’m glad we are able to gather together like this. We haven't had the opportunity since the battle,” Croix said.
“Understandable. You and Ciel are busy meeting important people and whatnot. Me and Boram won't hold it against you two. We were perfectly happy doing our own thing.”
“Well, aren't you two in an enviable position,” Ciel lightly grumbled.
“Ahahaha,” Croix laughed to lighten the mood. “So what is it you wanted to talk about, Miss Ciel.
Ciel sat in a comfortable position before continuing. Her face was a bit dark.
“I reached with my contacts in the Legion. I know why the Empire invaded. It’s because Popess Sallustia has gone missing.”
“The highest authority of the Church has gone missing? How? Why?” Croix couldn't hide his surprise.
“I don't know. But it doesn't seem she will be returning anytime soon. Our superiors hinted as much.”
“And why did this lead to the Empire’s invasion?” Boram asked.
“The Popess is like a mother that watches over the little kids so they all play nice with each other,” Viers said faster than anyone else. “With her watchful eyes gone, the naughty kids started to play rough, and in a place as big as the Human Dominion, there are a lot of naughty kids, my disciple.”
“Just so. If the Popess is still around, the Empire won't invade so brazenly. Even if the Silver Legion doesn't take the field, the Church can put a serious strain on their war effort in other ways,” Ciel added.
“So the Empire pounced at the opportunity and the unstable Latias Kingdom like wolves, huh?” Croix contemplated.
“The Popess have been around for centuries, a pillar of order. With her absence, great upheaval will follow,” Viers said.
“The top figures of the world already know this. If my father didn't know a few days ago, he definitely knows now. The Harkelan Empire made a move, and who can say what the Zetel Sultanate or the Free People Coalition would do next? The Four Great Nations have been at peace for too long.”
“So we must watch closely our borders, not only at the Empire’s side...” Croix murmured.
“...The cults,” Boram said.
“Yes,” Ciel nodded. “The devil cults, especially the seven, will be bolder. Their Level 5s are as powerful as our Cardinals. There's no telling what they will do but I can assure you it will be nothing good.”
“By Estelle,” Croix made a holy mark gesture of the Goddess, not unlike a Christian making the sign of the cross.
“This is confidential information but the demon-infested land of the Menace West has spiked in activity. The Hell Gate there has spat out a year’s worth of demons in one month. The Silver Legion has diverted much manpower there to combat the threat. There will be fewer peacekeepers in the Human Dominion as a consequence.”
“So, it is almost a certainty the continent will be embroiled in chaos soon,” Viers grimly said.
“It’s terrible,” Ciel shook her head with sadness.
It’s wonderful! In the Fables, chaos means more opportunities. Protagonists grew in chaos. Always.
“Yes, terrible,” Viers solemnly nodded like a priest grieving for all the suffering in the world.