Author’s Note: Hey everyone! Here is the Work in Progress for Chapter 170 I hope you guys enjoy! :D
Emma
I grinned.
I couldn't help it.
After an entire week of crossing a whole kingdom in a suit of armor sealed off from the living world, surviving death-defying encounters, facing unexpected developments, and finally wrapping it all up in more existential crises than I could count on one hand… I needed some goofy whimsy back in my life. I required something to ground myself lest I risk the last vestiges of my sanity taking off into the stars like Jebediah Herman’s ill-fated flight.
And what better time to pull the stunt than in the midst of Thacea’s active defusing of her previous — well-warranted — worries.
I of course had to pull the oldest card in the book, a good old fashioned bait and switch that would’ve otherwise been ill-advised to pull in front of Ilunor… for obvious reasons.
It wasn’t like I didn’t trust the deluxe kobold… but there were a few limits to what could be put out there in front of him.
And so, I did just that.
I pulled the trigger.
And I watched with bated breath at the princess’ reaction.
…
“Ah.”
It looked almost as if I’d just flashbanged her. Her eyes went wide as if the Dean himself had manifested in our midst. Though, in typical Thacea fashion, she held her own deceptively well.
I counted down the seconds as I let that awkward ‘reveal’ hang in the air for added effect.
One, two, three, four…
Until finally, I let loose the full truth.
“But that’s not the end of it, as you can imagine.”
Or at least, I did so at a teasing pace.
“Go on?” She urged, that stunned look soon giving way to something worryingly new — a glare I could only describe as a bird of prey out on the prowl.
“You see, he was rushing to the goalpost, hoping to secure an alliance with earth and all that it entails.” I continued, unabated, digging the hole just that bit deeper.
“I see…” She narrowed her gaze, like a hawk reaching its claws out to a lemming just inches away from escape. “And?”
“Well… as with most things towards the end of that communique, he later admitted he was acting out of the brashness of youth.” I chuckled, before quickly attempting to clarify as Thacea’s features went through the thick of it. “There’s a lot I chopped off from that video for Ilunor’s eyes and ears, but the long and short of it is this: Thalmin was eager to form some sort of a working bilateral relationship with earthrealm, with the intent of one day securing greater independence from the Nexus’ sphere of influence, and the end result of that as our comms were rapidly deteriorating… was a desperate last ditch attempt to solidify that relationship.”
“Through marriage.” Thacea clarified, her voice both steely and severe in its delivery.
“Yup! However, as I said, he later said he regretted that, as he was too enamored by the prospects of actually finding a way out of the Nexus’ grip. He jumped the gun, basically. Rest assured though, he lived up to his princely reputation almost immediately after that by walking back on the proposal and annulling it before it could get any further. I’ll be including that in my report to Earth as well just so the retraction of intent can be received in writing by folks back home. At least, I plan to do so once I get the ECS back up and runni—”
Alert! Collision imminent!
BONK!
No damage detected!
I blinked rapidly, my eyes quickly turning to land on a piece of rolled up parchment situated smack dab on the top of my helmet; the princess having leaped up and was now quite literally levitating in place a good foot or so above the floor.
“Hey! What was that for?” I chuckled deviously, my grin growing wider to the point where I felt my sides ready to heave in laughter.
“For the crime of purposefully withholding crucial chronological and sequential context from such a consequential declaration; with the clear and vested motive to incur a premeditated reaction with malicious intent.” She replied sternly, before pulling back the parchment. “Such insolence and insubordination by a knight is typically punishable by corporal punishment of significantly dourer proportions… but I reserve the right to respond with a far lighter sentence.” She regarded the makeshift bonking stick for a moment. “This isn’t the royal disciplinary baton… but it will have to do.”
BONK!
“The punishment will continue until discipline is restored.”
“And when is that, princess?” I managed out in between haggard chuckles.
“Until I deem it so.”
BONK!
“Or at least, until you show me the uncensored version of the cave’s events.” She clarified.
“That, I can do with utmost pleasure, your majesty.” I dipped my head down, hoping to fluster the princess once more just like in previous weeks… though this time, the only party flustered was yours truly, as Thacea looked on unapologetically.
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The Transgragican Academy for the Magical Arts. His Majesty’s Protectors’ Tower. The Dean’s Private-Facing Offices. Local time: 1900 Hours
Dean Altalan Rur Astur
The room had been quiet, apathetic and irreceptive to its sole guest. Its silence a damning condemnation following the last few rambling words he attempted to use in describing the week’s events.
I understood this had been a gamble.
I knew full well the risks involved with sending him.
But with Larial engaged on her own quest, and the shadowy Arlan Ostoy still a year off from full entry and accreditation into the ranks of the Blackthorns, the only other apprentice I could trust… was him.
…
Perhaps I should have been more forthcoming with trust outside of my immediate circle.
Alas, the risk of Academy affairs slipping, even if it was in inferential wisps and muted echoes, was not worth the potential gains.
Indeed, part of me found it amusing that this gamble ended — quite fittingly — in a gambling hall.
“H-honored Dean! I-if I may—”
“Hold your mouth, Apprentice Sey Antisonzia the Second… I am still… musing over the results of your ‘quest’.”