''What is little Tiffy?"
Lilith said with a smile. Little Tiffy was the nickname she gave to her long-time friend Typhania; Artemia got Arte's nickname.
''Wow! My little empress has become a little bold since our last communication. Do you want to get beaten like in the past?" Typhania using her Elseria pseudonym on the other end of the line, said, a little amused.
The corner of Lilith's mouth twitched; she almost cursed Typhania but still held back in the end as she knew that nothing good would come out infuriating this woman. In the past, she was more powerful than her; she was at her mercy most of the time; let's not talk about now; she wouldn't last one round against an all-out Typhania; the woman is an absolute monster as a real monster could be.
''Cough! Cough! So what do you call me for?"
Lilith awkwardly changed the subject, and Elseria (Typhania) at the other end of the communication chuckled, finding this act to be cute. She wished she could continue teasing her but stopped because, as mentioned, she called Lilith for a specific reason, to inform her about what Alex learned through Incursio. She had forbidden him from informing her as she wanted to be the one to tell her this valuable information.
This was just an excuse to talk to her friend; this call could be considered as the first one since she became empress and since she truly recovered all of her memories.
''Alex found a piece of valuable information; it's about Demon. Different from your species, it's an abomination I've never seen before.'' Elseria explained while showing Lilith an image, and she got goosebumps just by watching the thing inside the image.
She abruptly shot to her feet and asked without controlling her voice.
''What the hell is that? How something like that will exist?"
''Calm down, Lily. I'm perplexed as you are because something like that didn't exist in our time, but after a lot of thought, I think it was because they underestimated us; they believed that they could conquer Mysthia without those things, and the result, they failed. Therefore they became vigilant, and coupled with Alex and others' arrival; things became dire, so to cope with Alex and us, they didn't have any other choice than to create something so sinister as another card to win the incoming war.'' Elseria (Typhania) explained to the oversensitive Lilith, that her explanation was able to calm her down, and she sat back.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt''You are right; it must be exactly what happened. I've an headache already cleaning their spies and their hidden laboratories everywhere on the continent, but you're telling me that those assholes are creating something this dangerous. Please give a rest already.'' Lilith said as she slumped into her throne; she massaged her forehead.
Elseria, on the other side, sighed as she could understand how her friend felt; she had disliked things like this since a long time ago, if it weren't because there was no qualified yet and in whom she had a lot of trusts she wouldn't have taken over the role of an empress, things like this didn't really suit her. Ironically, those with this mentality often make a good rulers because once they do something, they like to do it cleanly.
''Don't worry; now that we know what they are up to, we should be able to make countermeasures easily. You just have to watch out for the middle and high-level dungeons. I'm sure you lift the blockage, thus enabling new adventurers into your empire; this will greatly help you.''
''Yes! The blockage will be lifted in a few days. I've already discussed the specifics with the Elders and the dukes.''
''I see, then I will open another subsidiary in the capital, it will be very big. I will let you take care of the specifics.'' Elseria said before cutting off the communication, and Lilith nodded before sighing.
''What headache.''
She flicked her fingers, and immediately someone materialised from her shadow.
''Your orders, my empress.''
''Send my order to the best craftsmen to hurry and build a five-story building. I gave them five days; resources are not the issue.''
The shadow nodded before disappearing.
''Ah! This is quite exhausting. Should I sneak out and go play? For example, in the Foxia empire, as Leonora?'' Lilith contemplated for a moment. It had been a moment since she went out disguised; she missed those times, she missed Old man Sebastian, her butler who died in that dungeon when facing Zero.
''Ah! I should do that. I wonder what his reaction will be? I deserve a good break after everything I've done, nobody going to complain anyway, after all, I'm currently the empress I do what I want.'' Lilith mumbled before vanishing. It is time to play.
°°°°°°
In a tavern in one of the principalities near the Far East Empire.
From the outside, it looks beautiful, cosy and humble. Stacked boulders and huge stone beams make up most of the building's outer structure.
It isn't easy to see through the closed windows, but the passionate voices from within can be felt outside.
As one enters the tavern through the thick, wooden door, you're welcomed by laughing voices and overall happiness.
The bartender was working up a sweat, but was still able to welcome new with a wave.
It's as lovely inside as it is on the outside. Rounded, stone beams support the upper floor and the torches attached to them. The walls are decorated with sports memorabilia, it's clear the owner, and probably the customers, are avid fans.
The tavern itself was packed. Tourists seem to be the primary clientele here, which often means great company. Happy, excited groups occupy several long tables; some are dancing on the table, while others cheer them on with clapping and yelling. The other, smaller tables are also occupied by people who seem to be strangers to each other, all sitting here because there are no other seats. However, they all enjoy each other's company. Even most of the stools at the bar are occupied, though nobody seems to mind more company.
Kevin when toward the counter and ordered the strongest drink before sitting in the corner as he began to enjoy his drink alone.
Quickly he finished his cup and ordered another one which he finished in less than two minutes; the bartender was extremely worried as one should know that the spiritus Kevin was drinking as if it was a cup of orange juice was extremely strong, 96% pure alcohol. Even those heavy drinkers wouldn't drink this as Kevin was doing.
The bartender was worried that a drunk Kevin might cause trouble, and he didn't need something like that tonight. Therefore he secretly sent one of his girls, but before the latter could approach Kevin, who had already become drunk, someone was already approaching him. This person wore a hood which covered his face, but it was not hard to know their gender.
The girl looked at her boss, and the latter shrugged his shoulders and ordered her to leave it. The girl could only reluctantly agree as she went somewhere else; she thought she would earn some easy money tonight as Kevin looked totally like an idiot; a little coaxing, and all his money would have been hers.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm''Tch!" The girl clicked her tongue in annoyance; she wanted to turn around and glare at the man, too scared to show his face and tell him to piss off, but just as she was about turn around, she felt chill run down her back, she didn't know exactly why either, but all of her fine hairs were standing on end. She was sure that she would experience something awful if she were to turn around despite this warning.
And as someone who had always listened to her instinct, the girl hurriedly left the tavern, going straight to a friend's house; she was afraid of something dangerous happening if that person knew her house. She had forgotten that it was easy to know; he had to ask, not that she was worth the trouble.
Meanwhile, the man with the hoodie sat across from Kevin, who was already drunk.
''What...? Do you want?"
Despite not being in his optimal state, Kevin could still know that someone had come and was sitting not far from him.
''I have a proposal for you.'' The man declared not bothered by Kevin's attitude full of hostility. He would have reacted as Kevin if he was in his shoes.
''I'm n..not interested.. burp.'' Kevin declared before putting his face on the table.
The man with the hoodie had expected this kind of answer; therefore he prepared a countermeasure.
''I have a method to make you stronger-"
Before the man could finish, Kevin stopped him. He raised his head and asked.
''Did you take me for an idiot?"
'It is exactly because you are the dumbest of the three I've approached you.' The man thought inwardly while outwardly he ignored Kevin's question and used his second trump card; this one would work; there's no doubt about it.
''I can make you stronger as Alexander.''