Leveling up the World

Chapter 917: Search for New Allies

Before Dallion set foot in Alliance, Veil was there waiting to greet him. Any other day, the overseer would have already muttered a few I told you sos. Not this time. The situation was bad enough without resorting to pettiness.

Have everyone be on guard, Dallion ordered. And tell Hannah to expect copyettes. Shell know what to do.

In truth, it was Pans advice that Dallion wanted, though he preferred not to say it openly.

Hows Eury?

In the forge, as Gen instructed. Veil slid along the ground in an attempt to keep up. Ive isolated the place, so only you two will be there.

Dallion nodded. In his mind, he had already come up with the series of spells to add additional layers of protection, spies, and other threats.

Are you sure none of the other forgers can help? Theres no one close to your level, but even at your speed, there isnt much that two people could achieve.

No. Dallions tone was frightenedly sharp. Only the two of us.

Sure, Dal. Whatever you say.

Dont let any clerics get near. And get the dwarves to block off the gates.

You think weve been infiltrated? Veil whispered.

Dallion didnt give a response, but with everything that the archbishop had done, it was nave to think they hadnt. That was, probably, the greatest threat the Order held above everyone: as long as they were supportive, things seemed okay. The moment they turned, one could never be sure how bad things really were. Everyone within all of Dallions domains had risked their lives in fighting nymphs and beasts, yet that was no guarantee they werent copyettes.

Threads of calm, determination, and bravery were in the air. The overseer was doing everything necessary to keep the spirits up and the inhabitants ready for battle. Years ago, Dallion would have felt sick at the thought hed be resorting to such means. Sadly, the stakes were too high not to.

People, buildings, and items greeted him as he passed by. Responding as curtly as he could afford, Dallion made his way straight to the city forge. The whole space had been rendered no existent for all but a handful of people. The normal citizen would pass by and never suspect that there had been a building there. Only mages and domain rulers would see the discrepancy and of them, only someone with a high enough level as Dallion would be able to enter the spot.

The sound of bellows and hammers could already be heard from inside. Euryale had gotten to work. That was good.

Moving faster than a gust of wind, Dallion went next to her. The gorgon, in turn, responded, turning around to give him a loving embrace.

Missed you, she whispered.UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

Tell me about it. Dallion held her tight, though only for a moment. So glad to see you alright.

I left the monastery the moment Veil told me you were going to see the archbishop. The snakes on her head swirled. I didnt want him to use me to threaten you.

Lucky that she had. Things would have been considerably worse if she had remained in the Orders grip.

Are you sure you want to go through with this? she asked. We wont be able to undo this.

Its already too late to be undone.

It was a dangerous game they were playing. Two sides already had rockets. The nymph empress had similarly dangerous mass spells. The only way he could compete was with a makeshift response, even if it was way underpowered compared to everyone else.

It would have been nice if Dallion had the time to create something more impressive, possibly experiment a bit to add his own out of the box thinking. In order to make it to the capital on time, his only chance was to make crossbow rocketsas many of them as possible.

You believe in the prophecies you make?

Theyre called prophecies because theyre true. At one point, you probably meant well, but the archbishop has seen what will happen if you survive. The second most dangerous person in the world after the emperor is you.

Before Dallion could react, the flexible material composing the copyettes body became solid. The moment the next attack landed, it cracked it up like a pack of cracklings. Fearing that the copyette might explode, Dallion leaped back. hardened slime turned to blue sand, spilling all over the floor.

Four seconds later, Veil emerged onto the scene accompanied by Panin the guise of the merchant Fatunand Euryale wearing her sun gold armor.

Are you alright? she instantly said, but Dallion gave her a sign not to approach.

It refused to surrender, he said, bending down. The sand was everywhere, like ground glass. Lux, fly to Eury, he said, looking over his shoulder.

The request was more than clearthere was no way of knowing that only one fake Euryale had infiltrated the city. His wife knew that, which was why she took hold of the kaleidervisto on top of the weapon without hesitation. Once done, she handed it to Veil.

Is this safe? Dallion asked.

Yep, Pan replied. Very safe. Also disgusting.

How did it get here?

Ive no idea. She felt like Eury entering your domain. Said the right things, even went through the conversations we had via the realms.

I guess its safe to say that the Order can listen in on realm conversations. So much for keeping things secret.

If all the other advantages werent enough, this took things on a whole different level. The reason the Order knew so much wasnt merely due to its vast presence, or its network of spies. The archbishop had been listening in to conversations between awakened and echoesconversations that were supposed to be as secure as the world allowed. Dallion might as well have sent letters of his conversation with Adzorg to the entire Order.

How many more do you think there are? The overseer turned to Pan.

A dozen at most, the copyette replied. Any more and I would have felt something.

You didnt sense that one.

Well just have to be more thorough when we go through the cities.

Therell be no checking, Dallion said. Were putting all this on a wagon and heading to the capital.

Utter silence filled the room. Emotions beamed from everyone like beacons. Concern, alarm, readiness for war.

Youre going there on a wagon? Eury asked the obvious question. Running will be faster.

I cant get there flying, and Im not sure what I can trust. A wagon with three people will be enough. Ill summon the horses. Theyll be almost as fast as me. Well be there until noon tomorrow at most. After that He stood up and shrugged. At least the Moons will witness a spectacle.

There was nothing to add to that. The domain wasnt under siege, but this might well be their last stand. If Dallion failed to save the emperor and form an alliance with him, he wouldnt be able to bear the full brunt of the Order against him.

Why three? Veil broke the uneasy silence in typical fashion.

In order to succeed, we need to do three things: deal with the hidden copyettes, save the imperial capital from the Orders rockets, and survive long enough for the emperor to change his mind about us. Eury will use a crossbow to keep the skies safe, Ill fight any threat on the ground, and Pan will help reveal the copyette infiltrators. All it takes is to reveal a few for the fight to shift. Meanwhile, you, Hannah, and Di will protect whats here. The Order has too much at stake to tip their hand while the emperors alive, but that doesnt guarantee they wont try. When Im done, I want to have something to come back to.