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Chapter 440 Catching up
🕑 Added 2020-02-22 11:28:09 +0000 UTCAuthor's note February 22nd: Hey everyone. New chapters up and more hopefully on Tuesday :).
I hope you have a good weekend. Let me know what you think of the chapters :).
PDF/EPUB: https://www.patreon.com/posts/32241245
Chapter 440 Catching up
Claire notified Trian with the device behind her desk, sending a small enchanted letter through a tube.
You werent the only one being busy, she said and sat back down, taking a sip of her ale.
Your assets are growing, both here and in Riverwatch. Investing there got much easier now that were in contact with Alistair. The treaty you initiated with Riverwatch benefited both of us greatly. Sulivhaan and Dagon could hardly believe it was you to suggest it. The timing was perfect for both of us. The empire has accepted our independence, mostly citing all the help the Shadows provided in the war efforts and with the demons, Claire explained.
Didnt we cause the demons in the first place? And the war in turn? Ilea asked.
Adam Strand caused the demon summoning. Empress Alyris is very much aware of that. We have our theories on the war as well but it is still too recent to make final judgments. Lets just say that I think Alyris has been looking for a reason to be rid of Baralia for a long time. For them to actually initiate the war might have been the best possible result. I wont bore you with the politics of it all. Suffice to say we are in a complicated but overall agreeable relationship with the empire. Riverwatch adds to our claim and we add to theirs. she explained.
Thousands died from that war, Ilea said but just shook her head, not about to get into the reasons behind such things.
We wont ever engage in war, except if we are attacked or a threat is too dangerous to ignore. I hope you can trust me on this, Ilea. Neither do I believe the empress wanted the war. It simply did align with some of her goals. If you want her reasons, I suggest you go and talk to her yourself.
Ilea chuckled. Talk to the Empress of Lys? Thats the last thing on my list.
Claire nodded. I thought so too. Turns out I was wrong. I have you to thank for that, I suppose.
You met her? Ilea asked.
Letters only. We communicated with her together. The leaders of Ravenhall. You have a say in our decisions as well of course. The empire is busy with rebuilding and fortifying their cities as well as with the war efforts. Currently we merely signed treaties as to our independence, the removal of all imperial personnel from the Ravenhall mountain chain and open borders for trade. I assumed you have nothing against such.
Of course not. Im sure theyre glad to have the soldiers and guards back that were stationed here as well, Ilea said. Theyre still at war then?
Claire nodded. Baralia has turned into one of the largest battlefields in recent history. We even have reports of Nipha and Asila joining the empire. Plenty of Shadows have joined as well, mostly as a response to the bounty that was set out for them by Baralia. The Shadows Hand however is not officially at war. Members of course are free to act independently as long as Ravenhall or the order are not endangered. We suspect it might have been Alyris in the first place who was responsible for the bounty but it is merely a theory. One that would make a lot of sense. The lack of resistance to our independence may be the payment for the Shadows involvement in the war.
Might just be they joined for the simple benefits of war. Good way to get some power and gold, Ilea said in a dry tone.
Vultures flying over a soon to be corpse. I agree. And yet Baralia is not a corpse quite yet. Their cities are fortresses held by high level nobles and their families. People that have been in power for centuries. They will not give up ground easily. We benefit greatly of course, exporting food, armor, weapons and dozens of other goods into the empire. Most used to rebuild and protect their cities, towns and villages.
I forbid any Lilith owned businesses to profit directly from the war efforts but I hope you understand that it is impossible to completely prevent it, Claire said.
Sure. As long as we dont sell machine guns to the front lines, I dont care, Ilea said.
Alistair and I are working close together with the establishments you own in Riverwatch to extract and take in refugees and slaves. It is proving difficult but I dedicated a good sum of gold towards those efforts. I hope you agree.
Ilea nodded. Double or triple it if possible. How are the slaves in Baralia? Just used for entertainment and manual labor or is the society a little more advanced than that?
Claire smiled. Administrators, cooks, leather workers, smiths, and much more. All useful and needed. That is the main reason why I prioritized those efforts.
Always with gold in mind, Ilea said and shook her head in a joking manner.
Ravenhall has mostly recovered but now we are starting to retake Morhill. Your smith friend Balduur has agreed to our suggestions by the way. Both cities are additionally building downwards as well, the mountains providing great ground for expansion, now that the Haven is producing ten times the food we previously managed to grow. Before you ask, we are looking into expansion there as well, to not solely rely on its soil.
We need all the people we can get. If they are trained and capable, even better, Claire said.
Ilea nodded. When will you give yourself the title of Empress?
One ruler is not reliable as a form of government. Efficient and simple, yes but I dont plan to leave behind chaos in case of my death.
Planning even beyond her own death. Well, I guess I suggested the right person for the job back then.
Come in, Claire said.
Trian burst into the room, wide eyed and with a broad grin on his face.
Hey. You look horny, Ilea said with a smirk, tilting her head back to look at the man.
He walked up to her, one of his eyes twitching as lightning sparked around his hand.
Careful now, Ilea said, her voice traveling through the room with a pulse of powerful mana.
A second of subdued silence passed as her companions were entirely frozen before she giggled.
Claire shook her head and summoned some documents. Madwoman, she murmured with a slight smile.
Trian laughed out loud. Perfect! At least you didnt waste your time. Do you know how difficult it is to answer the questions of nearly sixty people about the leader of their organization while I think she is dead?!
Ilea smiled. Sixty? Damn I expected like five. Well done.
I want an apology, the man said and crossed his arms. I dont give a shit about your powerful healer shit. You said youd be back sooner.
Apologies Trian. There was a powerful blood manipulation spreading in the north, capable of large scale destruction. Then a Sand Elemental was corrupted and we had to put it down before I was nearly killed by one of the Ascended.
Thanks. he said and summoned his own armchair, sitting back before he closed his eyes and cupped his face with both hands. Wait Sand Elemental?
Ilea spent the next twenty minutes retelling her adventure through the Descent, starting with the first layer battle, the exploration, her advancements as well as the Sand Elemental battle. She made sure to share all her discoveries about resistances, levels, elves, Blood Manipulation, third tier general skills, the Ascended and everything else she encountered. She did decide not to share much on the Fae itself.
Claire wrote everything useful down and nodded with increasing joy all the while Trian sunk further and further into his chair.
So apparently you can get a third class at level three fifty but Im not sure about the requirements yet, Ilea said.
Claire nodded and put away another page, enchanting it in the process. Ill get a list of general skills together that you might be able to learn quickly. As well as a list of potential resistance trainees within the Hand, the Shadowguard and potentially interested adventurers in the city. You used the arena before. Are you planning to stay for a while?
Schedule it for every morning. Sunrise to noon, Ilea said and gave her a thumbs up. The woman had understood immediately. I love you, she whispered.
I love you too, dear. Anything I should scratch before I hand it to Dagon, Elise and Sulivhaan? Claire said.
No. Just make sure that they know the information on the Ascended cannot spread. I dont want that one entering this city, Ilea said.
Of course. We have protocols in place for a potential three or four mark breach but I had not honestly considered a sapient being with such power. Even the elders wont be able to deal with that, she said and sighed. Well, it was only a matter of time. If we want to do more than survive, we will have to be able to fight both Elves and anything else that exists out there. It is at least somewhat comforting that powerful creatures like that should dislike the low mana density, Claire said.
A little. Terrifying at the same time, Ilea said with a smile.
No shit. We are fishes in a pond right next to the ocean, Claire said with a smile.
You like the challenge? Ilea asked.
Not in the same way that you do. But of course. It was nearly getting boring. With the Empire accepting our independence. Ill make sure to triple the power of our defenses. Finally Sulivhaan might accept my budget suggestions, she said and rubbed her hands together.
Lightning Ele mental, Trian whispered. His eyes were wide open still, not a peep coming from him during her whole monologue and the conversation after.
Yep. Quite powerful too, that one. Do you want to meet it? Ilea asked.
He groaned and straightened in his chair. Ilea. I apologize. For asking for an apology. I should have known you were busy with tasks beyond my understanding. And no. I do not want to meet an Elemental, not ever. Thank you.
She smiled. Might be one attacks the city at some point. Would be good if you prepared a little. Dont worry about the apology. I fucked around plenty after we dealt with the corruption. Meeting the Ascended wasnt exactly part of the deal. Any word on Kyrian?
Claire shook her head. We have no idea where he is. Still alive and continuously more rugged and powerful. According to the paintings of course. Perhaps it is simply Cless evolving style. You two certainly seem to be the ones advancing most in power.
I can take you two to the north at some point, as soon as things are running a little more smoothly. Would be good for you to at least reach level three hundred. The benefits will be crucial, Ilea said.
Not anytime soon, sadly. I will continue to train of course, Claire said.
[Mage lvl 227]
A couple levels at least, Ilea thought and nodded.
Trian was at two twenty nine, not much different than the last time they had met. Considering the small time frame it was still impressive of course. Both of them had found the time to hunt and fight.
Can I add dungeons in the area as well for resistances or do you prefer to train here? Ill just add the magic schools I wont find, if anything close by can fill a gap, Claire said.
Sure. Focus on Void, space and blood. Hey, dont you have blood magic spells? Ilea said, looking at Trian.
I know some people who can help there. I focused more on drain spells and lightning, the man said with a smile.
Here are the most recent paintings on Kyrian, Claire said and showed her a bunch of canvases.
Is that a cape? Of needles? And claws? He looks pretty wild, I like it, Ilea said and gave her a thumbs up. Cless is a terrific painter as well, as a side note.
She is getting better, Claire said and nodded.
He looks more beast than man, Trian said.
Ah, you grew up noble. He looks perfectly fine to me, Ilea said with a grin on her face. Maybe Ill have to reconsider him after all.
I wouldnt mind his courtship either, if I had a shred of time to spare on such matters, Claire said, not showing a single bit of emotion at the apparent loss.
Trian cleared his throat. Now that that is out of the way. Do you still plan to help out with the Medic Sentinel Corps?
Of course. Thats the main reason why Im here. I told you Id be back. Just took a little longer. So sixty people. Tell me about the Medic Sentinels, Ilea said with a grin.
Trian sighed with relief and smiled. Of course. Now we have fifty recruits at the moment. I interviewed each one myself and at least for now I can vouch for them. Most came here to Ravenhall due to the demon invasion or the war with Baralia. Some were referred by William, others by Sulivhaan. Claire helped with most of the rest.
They arent scared, Ilea. They are smart and eager, tired of being powerless. Many share convictions you set forth for the Sentinels. I dont know how aware you are of this but your second name has made quite some waves. Not just here in Ravenhall. Lilith is the main reason for many to even consider joining the Sentinels and for even more of them it is the only reason they remain after the past weeks.
Why am I so important to them? And what happened in the past weeks? Ilea asked.
Claire chuckled.
Do I really have to explain why you are important? Theyve been taking classes and have started to train but they have yet to meet you and not few of them have started to ask questions. Healing orders are known to be hard on recruits, many people never returning after joining. Worse rumors are out there and I have no reason to believe they are wrong.
Aki might be one of the reasons people havent left as of yet. Him, Sidney and Orthan are the combat trainers for the recruits, teaching them tactics, hand to hand combat as well as the use of various weapons. At this stage I have to say that theyre mostly just beating down the poor sods.
Sidney? Orthan? Ilea asked.
Sidney is a Shadow. She was responsible for evaluating new potential members before the demons happened, Trian said.
She was the woman who evaluated your combat abilities, alongside Adam Strand and William, as far as Im informed, Claire cut in.
I see, Ilea said.
Orthan is one of the people you rescued in the Alymie estate. He has always been loyal to my family. I have heard that your first meeting wasnt exactly favorable and should you wish to have him removed, I will do so, Trian explained.
Ah, the old guy with bone magic? Maybe I can get a resistance from him, Ilea said. What do you think of him?
He can be rude but he knows what he is doing. My own combat prowess is partially a product of his teachings. And beatings, he said.
Ilea nodded. Ill talk to him but I trust your judgment, Trian. I dont want to torture the recruits either. I hope you made it clear that this isnt a nobles mage factory bleeding out orphans.
Of course, Ilea. They are harsh but not to an extent that is unreasonable. The Alymie never participated in such practices. It is Sidney and Aki that sometimes go overboard after all. They profoundly apologize to the recruits of course but that doesnt exactly add to our credibility, despite their undeniable combat prowess and experience.
Ilea snorted. Combat prowess? Aki? Are you fucking kidding me?
He has improved considerably. A very dangerous level two hundred machine capable of keeping up with even me, the mage said.
Really? Ill be the judge of that, Ilea said with a grin.
He would be happy for the challenge and Im sure it would be a motivating sight for the recruits, Trian said.
Can we call them students? I dont necessarily think of this as a military thing. More a place of learning, Ilea said.
Learning about resistances, Claire murmured.
Not if they dont want to. We need administrators, trainers, teachers, consultants and whatever else we can think of as well. If they want to become powerful healers and assets to a strong adventurer team or even a Shadow team, they will gladly get those skills, Ilea said.
Pain Tolerance in the second tier would be a priority but it wont be easy to sell. I personally dont plan on ever getting that far, Trian said.
Why would you? You have a stable position, you have reached a level of power most humans will never come close to. There are however plenty of people that would like to reach higher. Leave it to me to show them what is possible. And to give them the resources to do so in this world of information hoarding nobles, clinging to the shreds of power they think significant, Ilea said.
You will face plenty of adversity, Trian said.
From whom? Ilea asked.
The existing healing orders, many of the nobles in the empire as well as any other kingdom. Information sellers, alchemists selling their overpriced potions. Just to name a few, he replied.
Ilea smiled and took a sip of ale. Just doesnt seem that much of a challenge after seeing the power of Elementals. Let them try.
Comments
Todd Kloos
I know that Ilea doesn't like fighting in human wars, but it actually might be a good idea for her to go convince the last Baralian cities to surrender. She could make the war end sooner with fewer casualties. By showing off her strength like this she could also enhance her reputation and establish the Medic Sentinels as a group that should not be messed with.
Hannah King_10
I guess after breaking from the empire it wouldn't be necessary
Hannah King_10
I'm a little surprised she doesn't need a charter for her healing order
Matthew Robinson
Thanks for the Chapters. Looking forward to interaction with the students and the Res. training (though hopefully the Res. training isn't too detailed but rather a montage). Intro to students from a student perspective would be fun (would also maybe let us see Monster Hunter from another's POV?). She also needs to play with that "armor" that Goliath gave her that helps her train and isn't really armor. Last thought, 3rd class. Eater: You have eaten in the most ridiculous of situations, among the bodies of your enemies to name just one. You gain slight buffs from eating. :P
Worldknower
Im glad shes back in human teritory again. The off solo leveling is a good part of the story, but it needs to be tied in to the "world" in a way. Her going back to the same city once in a while (Ravenhall), really is the best way to make it seem like what she is doing acctually matter to the world arround her.
Tim Deral
Good one
Jonathan
I don't know if that would work for a magic substance. It might be that you have Bluemoon Grass "poisoning" or you don't.
Johannes Sauer
That would be hilarious
I'd like Ilea to enter a random town's adventurer's guild and attempt to have her badge updated. I wonder how they would deal with identifying her level :)
Han Pol
Would be fun, but she has so many options that her third class could be really all over the place. But overall she has done mostly fighting and very little beast bonding and I think her class will reflect that.
Scott
As for 3rd class, some sort of monster tamer. Her first achievement would be the momma cat. From there she has befriended many and more powerful monsters/creatures, culminating with cooperation with the Trakorov. Would make for a significant enough achievement to qualify for a third class I think.
Scott
Somewhat off topic, but concerning the moon-grass issue; couldn't they test potential students with it in the same way we test for allergies? Ilea should be able to come up with the idea. Or use smaller doses over time to acclimate to it.
Chad Hagner
Next story arc here we come! I'm so ready to watch Lilith put the smack down on dumb humans lmao!!!!!
Michael C
If nothing else. You can use good ones as covers when you make these books on amazon
Michael C
Hey. IRL idea. Find a good artist, call her Cless and have her recreate these paintings and sell them for you. I would buy one of lilith on the tarkov dragon thing. $60 or less for a reprint of an awesome painting.
Straven
Loving the stories growth and can't wait to see her first encounter with the trainees. Thank you for the chapters.
Zir
my main theoretical worry is for the students, they will have huge targets on their backs once word gets out that they are actually healers. remember how violent and sadistic that one healer with the greatsword was? straight up tried to murder ilea just for having healing and not being part of her order. they are all fanatics
fennek
Would be even cooler if the new class for her recruits would be called after her.
Todd Kloos
If she accepts missions from the Shadow's hand during her stay in Ravenhall she should definatly choose ones that are too difficult for a normal shadow team instead of just taking whatever is close. Especially since she can probably fly across the entire human plains in a couple hours now.
Toknightly
I'm really excited for new skills and resistance montaging in town but I hope we don't spend very long in the human lands on human politics.
Chopper
Yesssssss! A painting of Ilea touching fingers with the Fae! (Or rather finger to hand bulb?)
Chopper
Would be better if just a small part of the chapter was from one of the students pov. Ilea shows up waving and smiling at them just wearing some casual clothes, then someone makes a cliche'd comment: You don't look so tough!' The next second she's covered in ash while 16 ashen limbs surround the group and she laughs whilst using the monster hunter skill... 95% of the recruits run screaming from the room and never return.
Han Pol
With how much the legend of Lilith has grown why not name the 3 class Lilith the xy (Squire or Knight ) or something else if the class starts weak and slowly work her way up from that, Cusader Paladin, Wayfarer, Dragoner, First one.
Matthew D
Anyone else think Cless is going to be the new Da Vinci? Her paintings of Lilith could sell for a lot
Seb
I think that a class based upon resistances would be really cool. Like maybe skills that revolve around using magic from her resistances, or lets her take on qualities of her resistances.
Alexander Dupree
sommelier or similar food critic 2-1
Alexander Dupree
She monster hunter's clearing her throat and wanders through a crowd of frozen people.
They were afraid of the ash, thinking she was an ash elemental
She doesn't want ppl to know that, only Elfie knows
Kristoffer
I would love a chapter or side chapter or something from the perspective of the "students" xD
Since she already have heat T3 lava wound not give much by now, maybe later
Joshua Little
Thanks for the chapter.
Dominic French
I thought she has like a presence now after getting veteran two the second tier. The dark ones noticed it in the previous chapters?
Benjamin
Aura: 3-1, Time : 12-1, Space: 8-1, Healing: 5-1, Fae magic: 4-1, Monster hunting: 8-1, elemental: 10-1, weed 420-1
carebear90
"Let them try." Perfect last words for the chapter... I'm really eager to see some try and get their asses handed to them. It really is impossible for them not to underestimate her. I doubt anyone alive and part of the establishments has any messure of her kind of power. How could they? I can't wait to see her just "growling" her attackers into submission. ^^
Benjamin
3rd Class:
Benjamin
Well it's official. The betting pool on what her third class will be after she maxes 3-5 more resistances.
Emma Carlin
I hope she messes with the students a bit. Maybe cuts off her own head and regens in front of them lol
Manamaw
I cant wait for people to underestimate her again
Dax
Trian*
Dax
She was told it was still beyond her, though
Arkeus
Yes, taking some time to concentrate her power before she gets to 350 and unlock the third class makes sense. She doesn't know how it works after all, and it might very well be giving her a class rather than unlocking a slot. If it gives her a class, the more preparation beforehand the better she is off.
Scott
Two good chapters for progressing the story. That Kaiju battle was so awesome that the last few chapters are boring AF now...😭😭
Sekander
Oh and I cant wait to see her flexing on all the new students and the people she will do res training with ^^
Sekander
It is likly a good choice to wait with the 3rd class. The more general skills she has and 3rd tier as well, the better her class will probably be. I am very hyped to see what she will get with 20 3rd tier res... and 5 or more combat skills and Veteran and Monster Hunter in 3rd as well... damn I keep fantasizing...
I REAAALLY want to see the message Kyrian and Claire received after she used monster hunter
MountainFox
Yaaaas good stuff!
Jonathan Walker
I'm bummed that she didn't immediately go for the basilisk to get the third class ughhhh
Philip H.
A bit disappointed that it seems like it will take awhile until she goes for her 3rd class but overall two good chapters.
G. Harthane
Ah, something I wanted to clear up because I saw it on the discord again. Lava Res T3 is available. She just hasn't checked it / mentioned it. Slipped past me. I'll get to it at some point but didn't think it important. Considering she didn't choose Wind yet, she'd likely not take Lava either.
