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Chapter 496 Assignment
🕑 Added 2020-06-11 13:35:59 +0000 UTCAuthor's note: Hey all :). New chapter up and more hopefully on Saturday.
Author's note: Hey all. Thursday chapter out. More hopefully on Saturday.
Do let me know what you think.
PDF/EPUB: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32241245
Chapter Index: https://www.patreon.com/posts/37813894
Chapter 496 Assignment
Helena remained in her chair for a little while after Ilea had left.
The meeting had been quite productive.
Maya glanced into the room and quietly closed the door again as soon as she confirmed that Helena was alive.
A ridiculous notion.
Is it? she wondered. Ilea hadnt shown many of her skills. She had ways to detect even the best of her assassins, had an armor like defense hidden under her shirt, and she had the aura of someone with Veteran in the second tier, perhaps even the third.
The sphere she felt around her felt like a perception aura but it could have very well been something else entirely. The way she had moved suggested more than one high level combat skill and the thin lines of fire on her skin suggested body enhancement skills. Likely more than one.
A healer with body enhancement and ash at her side. It could be quite dangerous, perhaps even too much for me. Her level isnt much higher but it might overwhelm my battle experience nonetheless.
Helena assumed she had fought far more than Ilea, the difference in their experience surely quite vast. Especially against human opponents. She had admittedly gotten a little rusty in the last few decades but experience didnt just fade at this level.
The girl was young. Perhaps as young as she looked like. Helena hadnt detected any acting or falsehoods, meaning the character Ilea portrayed was likely her real one. Someone who enjoyed battle for the sheer sake of it, not a noble nor someone interested in political influence.
She had risen in power quickly, perhaps faster than most. She thought it unlikely that the girl had remained hidden and unknown, especially with her erratic and sudden appearance on the board.
It suggested a powerful Class or several of them. Reaching level two hundred was possible with luck alone but three fifty? Helena thought it highly improbable. The girl was dangerous, that much was clear.
She had intervened in Riverwatch and had asked for the slaves to be freed. Perhaps the citys recent involvement with infiltrating the kingdom had something to do with Lilith after all. Helena hadnt been sure if Ilea just went to protect the city and with it her friend in the guard, or if she was there to fight Baralia.
Perhaps it was both in the end. She did feel quite strong about slavery it seemed. A good addition, if she actually joins.
The fact that she hadnt actually joined the war herself and only acted to defend Riverwatch suggested she wouldnt intrude on other territories without very good reasons. Her insistence on questioning her assassins guild was frankly annoying but Helena couldnt fault the young woman.
Ilea was right when she called them both murderers, why she still insisted that an assassins guild was any worse than slaughtering half an army of soldiers was however ridiculous.
She had her principles and while she seemed uneducated at first, Helena couldnt help but find some of her questioning intriguing. Almost as if the girl had been frustrated, but not for the usual reasons.
Helena had confirmed that Lilith wasnt a monster but instead remained human despite her power. She wasnt a threat to humanity but instead a potentially highly important asset. The lack of initial interest in the war and her high level suggested she had seen more than her fair share of the horrors lurking both within and outside the human plains.
She smiled bitterly. So full of life and empathy.
Ilea wasnt yet tired of fighting and neither was she a born leader or administrator. She could trust and delegate, that much was clear by now. Helena judged it impossible for someone like Ilea to manage the wealth and assets attributed to Lilith. Someone else was behind that but nobody that actively controlled her, she wouldnt have been as confrontational and careless in this meeting otherwise.
She judged it useless to question Ilea about Ravenhalls independence and the potential role Alyris had played in that. If anybody knew more, it wasnt Ilea.
The girl had time to enhance her skills and fight battles without risking an insurrection. For Helena, that possibility had long since passed. Nor did she have any interest in facing creatures that would raise her level. Not anymore, not if not absolutely necessary.
Most important of all, Ilea had actually enjoyed the cake. Helena snickered when she remembered her asking if she could take the rest with her.
Nobody had ever done that. It filled her heart with some long forgotten warmth.
She really hoped that Velamyr and the Pirate would support her. Unlikely that three people would veto her. Michael doesnt care and Elisora will like her. Nero and Elijah might be a problem while Elizabeth is a sure veto.
In the end she could still trade with Ilea personally, or with the person managing her assets. But without the status and connections she would gain by becoming a member herself, Helena thought it unlikely that Ilea could keep up her speed of expansion. As secure as Ravenhall is, Riverwatch will be contested.
She hoped Lilith proved herself in Baralia. Helena couldnt deny that she liked the woman, not just because she liked her baking. Perhaps its part of it, she admitted to herself and took another sip of ice tea.
______________________________
Ilea dissolved Trians mark to signal the waiting group that she was safe.
She was already halfway back to Ravenhall, keeping her eyes out for pursuers as she focused on Claires mark to find her.
Ten minutes later, she joined the flying group of Shadows, some of them unfamiliar.
Claire trusted them and so would she, if only to do the job theyd been asked to do.
She still waited with her report until the three of them were in Claires office.
You should really try it, its fantastic! Sadly some of the heat is gone by now but the poison is marvelous, Ilea said as she ate another piece of Helenas cake.
Are you sure she didnt just try to murder you with that? She is an assassin after all, Trian said.
Claire waved him off. Eccentric for sure. Perhaps you were lucky to have met her. Im sure your mutual liking for cake helped sooth out the issues you mentioned.
You did well, I think, Trian said.
I agree. The potential for trade deals and expansion could very well catapult Ravenhall to the power of an entire nation. Ill have to try and contact Helena as a representative , she said, murmuring the last part. If you are fine with that of course?
Ilea nodded. Sure. I didnt intent to deal with that myself anyway. Id be hilariously taken advantage of if I tried to talk about trade.
Isnt Ravenhall powerful enough to rival some of the smaller kingdoms already? she asked in addition.
Claire thought about it for a while, at least giving it some consideration. Perhaps. Its difficult to say. I would assume youre thinking of military power?
Ilea nodded.
While its true that with all Shadows present, we likely have a force that could stand against an assembled army. Even Lys would have difficulties dealing with that. Adding us three and the Elders to the mix could perhaps overpower them entirely. However, the Shadows Hand is not an army. The retaking of Ravenhall was an unprecedented event and while I think we could rally many to our cause should the city be under attack, there is little reason for Shadows to join a war of expansion. We ourselves wouldnt join either if this happened, nor do I believe any of the Elders would care much, Claire said.
If anything theyd fight against us, Trian said with a chuckle.
Ilea agreed. Shed probably try to stop something like that too. The Shadows she had met cared little for the ambitions of Ravenhall, as long as the city stood and the services both it and Viscera offered remained accessible.
As for economic power I believe we compare to some of the weaker kingdoms already, though I doubt anybody quite realizes that yet. Much of our high level goods cant be sold yet but weve invested heavily in extensive production. As soon as the Taleen gates can be replicated and are approved of usage by everyone in the council, even the slowest diplomat and kings will realize that Ravenhall isnt just the Shadows Hand, Claire said.
My terrifying world dominating Head Administrator, Ilea said and tapped Claires shoulder.
Claire just smiled, quite used to Ileas antics.
How confident she is that Iana and Christopher will figure out the gates. Or is she planning centuries in advance?
Trian looked thoughtful. I think I might contact them too. Not yet of course but as soon as you two have a deeper understanding of the organization and the extent of their influence.
Ilea nodded. As a representative of the Sentinels I assume?
Exactly. You mentioned it already but as much as you could deal with the Healing Orders by throwing around wealth or by intimidating them, this could smooth things out before they even become a problem.
What about her being the leader of an Assassins Guild? Ilea asked.
Her arguments are valid, however you see it. Perhaps your world was different but I doubt much can be done about it. The Shadowguard finds corpses quite regularly. Im quite sure more than a few Shadows agree to kill low level targets for gold. Its much easier than hunting monsters, depending on the level difference, and nearly untraceable within a large city. More people simply vanish however, Claire said.
Ilea hadnt known about that, suddenly feeling a little sick. Fuck that, she said and focused on her cake. It did make sense of course. Ilea herself could easily slaughter dozens of high ranking nobles or officers without much trouble.
The people who paid for the assassinations might often be obvious but without further evidence or the actual killer, theres nothing we can do, Claire said.
Which leads to more assassinations, Trian said. It was a daily occurrence in Virilya. Now it makes sense to me too how similar the rules were between the various assassins Ive met.
The penalties are quite high in Ravenhall, which at least dissuades many. But some form of control is necessary either way. Sulivhaan keeps necessary contacts to keep it in check, Claire explained.
Thanks to us owning most of the businesses, there is little competition there but even just between street food vendors or adventurers, it can come to bloody clashes. Especially with their backgrounds, coming form all over the place, Claire explained. If they cant solve it themselves, they might simply hire someone to finish the job.
Hmm, Ilea mused but didnt say anything else in regards to the topic.
What do you think about the war? she said, changing the subject.
A good way to deal with the Order of Truth, Trian said. They were the ones that worried me the most.
I was unaware of the scale of these rituals. There was information of the Empire running into trouble and reports of bright lights reaching into the sky but nothing definitive. Cursed soldiers came up a few times but I thought it simply the work of a few mages, not the sacrifice of an entire citys population, let alone three, Claire explained.
No requests from the Empire? Trian asked.
Direct assistance for wars between humans is not permitted. Im sure there are Shadows present as independent mercenaries but no, we havent received requests for monster subjugation either. Its possible the Empire feels confident in dealing with this alone, Claire said. Our independence might make them leery of hiring too many Shadows.
Or the requests simply havent arrived yet, Trian suggested. Theyre not exactly the fastest moving bureaucracy.
Either way I think you made the right decision, Ilea. Get as much out of this as possible. If the threat is really present and its as dangerous as this Helena thinks it is, why not make a name for yourself, Claire said. Or well add to the name.
The cursed are low leveled, might be good for your third Class skills, right? Trian asked.
Possibly. Yeah, why not. I would have liked to let them deal with the war themselves, Ilea said and sighed.
Not really a war amongst humans anymore if they create monsters, Trian said.
Thats the only reason Im even considering this. If it turns out the rituals are of a smaller scale than Helena told me, Ill leave again quite quickly, she said. It was a foolish hope. Ilea was quite sure the woman hadnt lied but she didnt want to accept it as truth until she saw it with her own eyes. She would have to kill everyone willing to undertake such rituals.
She gave you two days, Claire said. Which means she knows how fast you can fly.
Ilea raised her eyebrows. No she doesnt. I can get there in four or five hours I think. Maybe faster.
Trian just laughed. Ridiculous. He wasnt questioning her.
Claire had an evil grin on her face.
Oh no.
Then this is a perfect time to get you a little more familiar with the high ranking officers of the Imperial army, the political structure and geography of Baralia as well as the major cities present in its lands. Im sure youll represent us well in the coming weeks, Claire said.
Oh no.
Ilea thought about displacing herself out of the enchanted office.
Representing whom? she asked seriously. Im not gonna play the envoy of Ravenhall.
I didnt expect that much from you. Though you are a member of the Council, just reminding you of that. However to balance out everything youve already done for the city, youd pretty much have to destroy it entirely not that I would pressure you in the first place. No, what I meant was a representative of us. Your Sentinels, me as your wealth administrator, Claire said and smiled in a wicked way.
Show them the power of Lilith, she added.
Ilea frowned. Ill do that anyway. Im just not very excited in joining this conflict.
Might not be so bad, Trian said. If the monsters are as impressive as Helena said.
Id rather explore the Caverns of Rot. Izacan might be out of my reach for a while let alone getting back. she thought, not regretting the destruction of the teleportation gate in the slightest. Those things were hot on her tail.
You two dont plan to join me I suppose? Ilea asked.
You were the one who was invited, Trian said with a slight smirk.
Oh sure, not like you couldnt join a country wide battlefield. What if someone connects the dots? Ilea said, her words dripping in sarcasm.
We wont join because were busy, Claire said, in a matter of fact way.
I know. I know, Ilea said and stood up.
I didnt forget about those lessons, Claire said and poured mana into the enchantments of her office.
You cant hold me, Ilea warned.
Secure her, Claire said to Trian, a smirk on her face.
The man just shook his head, remaining in his seat before he switched to a set of his armor, lightning sparking around him. He was obviously not entirely committed to the joke.
The next day was spent with lessons on the various landscapes of Baralia and the usual creatures that lived there. Trian and Ilea continued their training sessions and each took a team of Sentinels into a nearby dungeon again. The mage accompanied by Claire of course.
Ilea had a hard time remembering all the names Claire and Trian talked about, both city names and influential people, nobles, and Generals. Not for a lack of brain power of course but simply because she hardly cared.
Claire wasnt oblivious to her antics, insisting that Ileas high Wisdom and Intelligence made it impossible for her to not keep a bunch of names and places memorized.
Ilea knew of course that these things were important. Rationally speaking. However Baralia was far away and soon most of its high level nobles and the king himself would be defeated, one way or the other. Discovering their powers and abilities during a fight would be much more interesting than hearing about them beforehand.
The same was true for the Imperials and all the other parties involved. Ilea would treat them the same way she treated most everyone.
Claire didnt expect any different and tried to focus on the most important parties. She did whine about the headaches she would get after Liliths likely offensive behavior.
Ilea countered that she could heal headaches quite well.
You told me yourself that I should show off my power, Ilea said.
In a reasonable way, Claire countered, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Do you think Ill just murder a bunch of high level officers? Ilea asked.
Claire looked at her for a moment. If it turns out theyre torturing people, abuse slaves, kill civilians yes. Yes I think you would.
Ilea huffed. You wouldnt?
Id pulverize them. But thats beside the point. Youre pretty much famous at this point and your actions will reflect at least somewhat back onto Ravenhall if anything, think of me and Trian, Claire said.
I wont stand by if they do what you described. I expect more of the Imperial army, Ilea said.
I do too. But war remains war. They lost a lot of people and a lot of them have been trapped in Virilya for the better part of a year. Many will be frustrated and angry, Claire said.
Then I just take a few legs, whats the big deal? Ilea asked.
Already much better, Claire said and smiled.
Ilea was a little surprised at that.
Or kill them where nobody sees you. Saved slaves or soldiers will spread the tales fast. Just consider that, Claire said.
Ilea nodded. I will. Okay. I hope there wont be too much confrontation with humans anyway, she said.
Claire didnt comment on that, both of them knowing that it wont be so simple.
Comments
Dominic French
Lol Stymie llea's expansion. Good luck with that. Illea doesn't care about expansion via more land she expands by helping interesting people and bringing them back to ravenhall and by increasing her own personal power. She ain't really the conquest sort of person.
Tetsuki
I am not. The elves were special in that they literally live to fight. These members of the lily are basicly bullying lower lvled humans for decades without leaving the human realm... Helena herself said she has not lvled in decades. I do not expect much of the lily. There is a reason why humans are seen as weak by basicly every other race.
foldedcorners
I liked reading from Helena's perspective. It's also interesting to see how other's view ilea, as most of the story is from ilea's point of view. While ilea is strong, I don't think it's unreasonable for her to be taken down if a group of 300's go after her. I'm specifically referring to the group of elves that trade with the necros, but I'm sure the golden lily may be able to muster up a similar fight
tibbish
If it wasn't for Ilea Elos would be a grimdark place
tibbish
Yeah, she wasn't even willing to speculate Ilea had a 3rd class and was already forced to admit after meeting her that Ilea miiiight be stronger than herself. She still seems to think she can 'handle' Ilea in one or another if Ilea gets unruly but I think she is still underestimating just her 2 known classes' strength. Add in a 3rd class, even underlevelled, and I think Ilea could curb stomp Helena and probably much of the Lilies.
Jac Onue
Helena is probably right in that she has more experience fighting humans than Ilea, especially high level humans that present a challenge. However, Ilea is basically unkillable at this point, so battle experience doesn't matter. And Helena is somewhat right in that Ilea's influence wouldn't spread fast if she faced opposition. While Ilea herself might be untouchable, what would happen if Lilith's owned business had their employees assassinated? Ilea can't be everywhere, and it's hard to know who's responsible. working behind the scene the Golden Lilly could create plenty of issues for Ilea's businesses and Sentinels.
Venalitor
"Her level isn’t much higher but it might overwhelm my battle experience nonetheless." - Aww. How cute. Helena thinks her battle experience will be greater. Nevermind that Ilea clearly fights stronger opponents much more frequently and recently. Helena can at least be excused for not realizing the sheer variety of Ilea's foes though and at least she's right about fighting humanoids more. . . probably. Did Helena miss that she was being tested as well? "But without the status and connections she would gain by becoming a member herself, Helena thought it unlikely that Ilea could keep up her speed of expansion" - Ooh, there's that arrogance again. Overstating her and her organization's importance. There are always more people to delegate to and Ilea can't help but to run into them.
Hopefully (✷‿✷)
Daniel D.
Also, how insane is it that the medics could get hybrid ashen healer classes? I mean, they earned it. They really did. They paid for it in pain. But damn, Ilea has shown how powerful that combination can be, and that's just one class for them. They would have another on top of it. But then, they could only get so many skills from the one class, so there's some balance. But still, damn that's going to be a scary organization!
Daniel D.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that Ilea founded a healing order, and then gifted all the graduates with armor made from her own bones, because that was the most cost-effective material available. And not only did this seem perfectly natural to her, to the point that she didn't bother to explain where the bones came from, but the medics that figured it out found it comforting to be wrapped in such personal protection. Elos is messed up.
Cameron S. Moore
I really hope that someone tries that!
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Todd Kloos
Earlier it seemed like there were people from the Golden Lily who were aligned with the Order of Truth/Baralia. That doesn't seem to be the case now though.
quantumsoma
"She would have to kill everyone willing to undertake such rituals." Well shit, Ilea's really going on the hard core 'protector of humanity' route, isn't she? Great chapter, and I hope we get some more intrigue, and not just Ilea showing off/curb stomping her enemies. In the absence of that, than I hope she does some exploring.
Connor Bruha
Thanks for the chapter!
Jeremy Durbin
We know Verena has a similar skill though because Lucas mentions it when Illea shows him Monster Hunter.
Anyone else wondering if one of the healing orders is aligned with the golden lily?
Ranzbart
not that strange given how the lily most likely has a history of unique people. some of those might have been resistance maniacs aswell; doesnt surprise me that they know of the concept. id even assume one or two of them have 3rd classes.
Michael scott
I don't think anyone else has the skill monster Hunter. I think many have the skill veteran because you get it for fighting high level monsters. But Ilea got monster Hunter when she solo killed a cliff wyvern. We saw just how reluctant even other level 300 fighters were to take on a wyvern. I bet nobody else has it.
Need to invent a time machine, just so we can read more Azarinth Healer
Can't wait to see Helena's confusion & thoughts when she sees Ilea using Space Magic/other abilities her research into Ilea didn't come up with.
Johannes Sauer
Not confident in Poppi being more skilled than an ancient baker that owns most cake shops in the plains
Straven
Thank you for the chapter, don't doubt she'll have more then a few idiots try and push her to there unpleasant happiness.
Pierre Steiner
What. Do you. Mean o_o
Matthew D
Fun to see how she underestimates Ilea
Garend
Don't let this chpter distract you from the fact Ilea fucked a smelly man.
Michael scott
Thanks for the chapter. I really hope they don't forget about Eve. She was my favorite character next to Ilea in the story. I hope at some point Ilea finds out Michael was the one to kill her and she makes him pay.
Acquiles Vitorino de Melo Graça
Someone else kicking and screaming while waiting for Saturday? I can't wait for Ilea x Lily to go full blown.
Acquiles Vitorino de Melo Graça
You'd have to fight a damn eldrich with an army behind your back while keeping them calm, but yeah, that'd work. Was there any requirements that was quite important besides being level 300 and having 10 skills a 2 20 though, I can't imagine these people wouldn't get something like that?
Rip Woodham
My favorite chapter in a while. :) Very good job on Helena's perspective in particular, and also the discussion with Trian and Claire. And I usually give you a hard time about discussions. ;) Helena is giving Ilea a lot more credit than most would in her place. Nobody would suspect or see Ilea's true extent. That said, I look forward to her showing the Lily and the Empire her true power. I'm hoping for something like her stand against the waves of infected in the Descent, but with Monster Hunter and in front of the army. Let her go all out and be witnessed! I'm really hoping it isn't instead something like a stupid competition with other weird Lily members. :p
SoggyBiscuit
Wait, who was Elijah again? Don't seem to remember him.
Hayden Pech
Love it. Thanks for the chapter!
Chopper
You wanna know what I think G. Harthane?!?! DO YOU?!?! I think you're wonderful!
Thanks for the cappy :)
Alexander Dupree
Fuck yeah thanks for the chapter
Andrew
Thank you!
MountainFox
Ilea: You can't hold me. Claire: Prime enchantments to constantly duplicate cake. Ilea: Cake first.
Sam Beasley
I really like the chapter, but for the record, it's not a veto if you need 3 people to do it.
Thanks for the chapter!
Aapjuh
ilea should let helena meet poppi after she made helena clearly aware that shes alpha ofc, imagine the cakes brought into existence.!! cakes that can make or break peace deals with any sentient civilization.
Ties
Form=from
Tetsuki
Helena is delusional... Lvling faster then most... What an understatement. And it seems they do not know about 3rd tier general skill points. The way she mentioned that the second tier resistance is needed as if that is impressive. She did talk about 3rd tier veteran skill, but I imagine that is one of the easiest general skills to get to 3rd tier if you fight enough against strong enemies by using it enough. Since we do know that one can get to 3rd tier without general skill points
Thorsten Rapp
Thanks for the snack! :D Helena seems to know about 3rd tier general skills, so that's interesting.
Thanks for the Chapter :) Today has been so stressful i completely forgot today was chapter day... pleasant surprise :3 dont overwork urself and stay Hydrated
Nodlehs
Thanks for the chapter 😊
Thanks for the chapter. 'The Shadow's she had met cared little for the ambitions of Ravenhall' -> lose the apostrophe.
