Chapter 311: The Street Much less Traveled

I did not partake within the feast that night time. Effectively, until you name cleansing up the occasional crumb “partaking.” Nonetheless, I did get pleasure from my time hanging round and cleansing up any minor messes from the tables. They have been comparatively well-mannered for people, which meant there was even much less for me to do, but it surely was the little issues. Even purifying the air as I frolicked below the desk made me really feel helpful.

Beatrice had lots to inform, particularly after our journeys to the opposite cities. She hasn’t gotten into the specifics and extra delicate issues with Mary, Trent, and the others but. However that might in all probability occur later tonight if she hadn’t already taken care of it.

As a substitute, she received to her toes on the head of the desk and gathered everybody’s consideration. She held a spoon to a glass goblet of wine, in all probability intending for the noise to attract everybody’s eyes to her, but it surely wasn’t crucial. Everybody was already trying.

“Ahem” She cleared her throat and set down the glass. “I wish to thanks all a lot on your onerous work and dedication in sustaining this most sacred place whereas I’ve been away,” Beatrice mentioned. There have been well mannered claps, and Trent set free a low whistle. Beatrice let the slight commotion die down earlier than persevering with.

“After I final visited, I advised you of the dominion. How the armies that got here to strike at us and our lifestyle have been consorting with demons however felled by Lord Void.” One other scattering of cheers sounded.

“Now, I include extra information. The dominion we now have made our personal is below Void’s care, and as such we’re working to restore it and the injury completed by its earlier management. For the previous eight months, we now have been working tirelessly to make sure that this nation shall not know the identical strife that plagues the world past.”

“Like cleansing, it’s a job that’s by no means full. However already, 80% of the dominion’s borders have been restored and are actually patrolled for the protection of its residents. Twenty of the biggest cities have now re-sworn allegiance to the dominion. However that is no kingdom, for there isn’t any king. Nor am I a queen; I’m a mouthpiece for Void.”

She wasn’t a queen? That was information to me. I might sort of assumed she was, with how necessary she appeared in all of this. And it wasn’t like I had given her a complete lot of path about working the dominion, both. Most of this was a results of her and her advisers planning issues out.

Nonetheless, I did not interrupt to right her. Beatrice actually gave the impression to be getting the grasp of this public talking factor, and the very last thing I needed to do was throw her off.

Beatrice continued along with her speech. “I won’t be able to remain lengthy. There’s nonetheless a lot to be completed. However whereas we’re away, quickly I’ll want you, my brothers and sisters. I’ll want your assist.”

Huh. That piqued my curiosity. What was she going to ask for? I do not assume I remembered this a part of the plan…

“Most devoted followers of the Church of the Cleaning Void… we have to consider a reputation.” She paused. “The nation as soon as often called ‘The Kingdom’ is not any extra. We can’t let the failures of the previous taint the current and future. And so, we’d like a brand new identify for this nation. One which displays nicely on its true ruler.”

That despatched waves of mumbles and excited chatter via the group. In fact. That made sense. I sort of assumed that we might simply maintain calling it “The Kingdom,” though the identify was admittedly a bit uninspired. This was an important concept!

I started working via potentialities in my very own processors however stopped shortly after. I did not wish to take this away from the people. They appeared to essentially get pleasure from naming issues. Nevertheless, I did discover Trent and Tony sharing notably delighted grins.

It solely took a second for individuals to start out shouting out recommendations with pleasure. Issues like ‘The Void Theocracy,’ ‘The Holy Kingdom,’ ‘The Clear Nation.’ I even heard one of many Nighty Knights counsel ‘Kingdom McKingdomface.’

Bee waved for silence. “I will be joyful to listen to your recommendations. Later. But in addition, I wish to tackle one other factor: connecting this place to the remainder of the nation.” She gestured extensively. “Up to now, we have stored to ourselves right here as a collective worshiping our god. And I consider that the fort itself ought to proceed to be stored separate. It ought to stay a personal, quiet place for these of the religion to dwell and research our quick however necessary historical past and proceed the scholarship of magic within the divine.

Beatrice cocked her head to the facet. “What?”

“Your white-robed pal has appeared there. He is began preaching once more,” Archibald mentioned.

That received our consideration. “Zeal?”

Archibald nodded. “Yeah! That is his identify. I could not bear in mind it on the time. He appears to be getting fairly the next. I am unsure the way it’s working with the demons, however I assumed you want to know.”

I beeped in concern. I had defined Zeal was crucial, but when he was consorting with demons Then he clearly hadn’t received the message. Now, although, Beatrice appeared to have the identical issues.

“Oh no, he isn’t preaching for the demons. He is calling for his or her cleaning, truly,” he mentioned.

“However um… huh?” Beatrice requested. “However the demons are leaving him alone?”

“I do not perceive it both, but it surely’s not the one metropolis whose followers have appeared. Lots of their main cities now have a small presence of white robes in them. They carry on multiplying like roaches,” Archibald mentioned.

That was troubling. We had exiled Zeal in order that he would not trigger issues, however evidently, he had gone proper again to creating issues for another person. That wasn’t good.

Nonetheless, so long as he wasn’t truly hurting anybody, possibly it was effective. It was a distinct nation, in spite of everything, and we have been busy sufficient right here cleansing up these messes. Perhaps in the event that they needed our assist, they’d ask.

“What concerning the different leads?” Beatrice requested.

“Effectively,” Daedalus rumbled. “I spoke with my little brother, and he pointed us in the direction of Archimedes’ cave. We go to speak with him and see what different magic he is aware of. However most of the leads have run chilly or have been merely diversions.”

Beatrice rubbed her chin. “That is unhealthy information. I am unsure what to make of it.

“We’ll maintain trying, however I will not have any solutions for you quickly,” Daedalus rumbled, and Archibald nodded his settlement. “However for now, we’d like a break. We’re not getting wherever spinning our wheels like this.”

Beatrice nodded. “I believe you do.” She climbed again onto her carpet. “Let’s return to the capital and have a feast. It has been some time since individuals have seen a dragon.”

“It has,” Archibald mentioned with a toothy grin. “Certainly it has! I will get pleasure from this.”