Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Chapter 981: The Brutal Princess

News of Raven’s recovery spread fast, and Brein Archalancer was amongst the first few to draw concern posthaste. Recovery was one thing, but trouble would find the hero quickly. And given the reports about horrors running freely throughout Aurum and other cities, Brein stormed into Joselia’s office with a single question weighing heavily on his mind.

”What are we gonna do about the brutal princess?” He exclaimed, barging right in without waiting his turn.

A handful of petitioners were already seated in front of Joselia, but with just a brush of his hand, he had the soldiers protecting the unofficial queen escort them out. Once the soldiers were outside with the petitioners, he locked the door from inside and rushed towards Joselia. With great urgency and command, his hands slammed onto her desk, his eyes narrowed with worry.

”Only a matter of time before her army barges into our western front, and when she has Hamleth’s support, and we don’t? It would become much harder for us to sell this new path towards progress to our own citizens!”

Brein’s eyes stilled and locked with Joselia, holding his breath as he awaited an answer or perhaps an explanation. Moving a pile of documents to the side, the elf drew a deep breath before locking her fingers together. Squinting, she studied every wrinkle under Brein’s eyes and the way his lips contorted with unrest and anger.

”From what I’ve heard.” Declining her head, she leaned back into her chair. ”These folks infiltrated the den of a god and came back without a scratch to show for it. If anyone, it’s them who can help us. Besides, what good would having Hamleth do for the Brutal Princess?”

Joselia’s shoulders lifted and dropped, and so did her eyebrows. Leaving Brein at a loss, for in his eyes, the situation was much worse than what she was presuming it to be.

”Hamleth will order her to kill us, but provide no support. At least with Raven and his army, we can fight back the enemy together.”

”That hero you’re so confident in is currently planning to head back to Athenia! That otherworlder Twin came with news of attacks like our own city is under happening all over their conquered territory. And Athenia’s queen, Viola–she has demanded an audience with him; in return, we’re getting some devil servants sent to us. Though they’ll be the priestess’s problem to handle.”

As if something had flipped inside of Joselia, she quickly jumped out of her chair, and that unbothered look from before had turned into genuine despair.

”He’s leaving, now?”

Nodding back, Brein confirmed and then added.

”At the same time, my spies are reporting the princess’s march towards our city.” Taking a brief pause with his head lowered, Brein’s eyes wandered a bit before he spoke again. ”I may have overspoken before. She doesn’t have any priests or clergymen of Hamelth with her, so I’m suspecting–”

”That she’s moving without Hamleth’s support?” Finishing his thought, Joselia was at a loss as well. Why would the princess move without her god’s support? And why now? What changed for her to move now and not the days before? Was it the fact that Aurum was attacked on Hamleth’s orders already? Or was her reason for this visit not what they thought it was? Frustrated, Joselia clicked her tongue and lifted her head once more.

”I doubt it’s an alliance that she’s after. Which could only mean either she knows the hero will be gone or this is some idiotic attempt by her to get the better of him and his people.”

”In any case, he’s leaving, and we have to talk to him now!”

”If that isn’t an understatement, Brein...” Shaking her head, she rushed towards the door.

Following right behind her, Brein stayed close to her ears as they walked by the numerous petitioners sitting outside the office.

”Wasn’t there a rumor about the gods holding off on any major move until tomorrow at the very least?” He whispered, refreshing her memory.

”I heard the same, but the news came from the hero’s group, so who knows? Maybe they are unaware that Hamleth is breaking the truce?” Though their minds pondered that question for a few seconds, they were quickly reminded of the lack of any clergymen in the princess’s march.

”It is her decision most likely, but why? Going against the church will have her excommunicated.”

Turning a corner, Brein pondered the same, but this wasn’t the first time the princess had done something drastic without approval, and yet she retained her title the same.

”Too big to fall and all that.”

”And the emperor will allow it?” Huffing out loud, Joselia couldn’t believe what was coming out of their mouths.

”Against us?” Holding a door open for her, Brein stared at Joselia’s tense expression as she passed. ”I can’t say he won’t, but at the time, who’s to say that he knows? News travels slowly everywhere but south of here.”

”Mother fae...”

As soon as the nursery came into their view, their movement grew more hasty, and their hearts raced anxiously. Grabbing the doorknob, Joselia pushed it in, but right before her eyes, she saw a glimpse of the hero and the so-called Twin disappear into a violet-bright light.

”NO WAIT!” She yelped, rushing into the room.

Her hand reached for where she thought Raven was, but it was nothing but an imprint of his burning image that was slowly disappearing from her sight. Having missed the hero by just a few seconds, she cursed herself internally before shifting her gaze to Helga, Moeria, the ex-queen, and the vampiress.

”What’s wrong?” Asked Helga, crossing her burly arms.

Turning her head towards Brein, Joselia shook her head in defeat and waved him on.

”You can explain everything; I need a minute...” While she sat on a chair not far from the crowd, Brein explained to their company the problem they were about to have. Right as he was done, Helga relayed what she’d heard from the Twin. Athenia’s queen was attacked, and it was time for him to keep her some company. Not to mention, the numerous issues that have come up since the infiltration happened–not only Athenia but other places were urging him to visit–especially the islands and the desert.

”What now?” Joselia murmured, unsure what their next move should be.

News was still traveling slowly since not everyone had had their teleportation rings replaced. Through it they could talk from any distance, but for now only a handful were in possession of the upgrade.

”This princess.” Reaching into her dimension pocket, however, Helga pulled out a weapon with no sign of worry. Instead, there was apparent glee on her face. ”Let’s greet her halfway, what do you think, Moeria?”

”What?” Both Joselia and Brein were at a loss for words, and thus, with no opposition, Helga and a handful of people from the hero’s party set off to greet this ’Brutal Princess’.