Chapter 660 (Patreon)

The trip to the capital felt long for Ajax who had traveled with Aurexion for the most part during the war, having to slow down to the level of regular elites in such large numbers meant the trip took over almost a week since they weren’t pushing the mages and they were getting plenty of rest during the nights. 

“Nobody tried anything.” Ajax was slightly disappointed that none of the Republic champions had tried to pick him off during this time, it would have been a nice chance to take a few more of them off the board. “How many champions do you think they have?” 

“Usual number for most countries is between ten and fifteen depending on how many the old Houses have that are still active.” The prince answered. “Since there was a coup I am going to guess they are on low end of that but for two countries that still puts them in the low twenties before adding on any of their weaker new additions.” 

Even with just that it would mean the number of champions was about equal to what the Republic had as a more newly established kingdom even if accounting for all the champions Brightstone Sylvanthal and Gryndor sent to help. 

“The number of weaker champions should come from their potential squad members being brought up a level, they would be more specialized as you saw when you took out the mages, they are used to being protected and can’t really react all that well to anything at a proper champion level by themselves.” The prince continued.  “Discount the specific utility fighters and account for the stand alone elites the older houses would have kept in reserve for themselves to maybe raise to champion there could be as many as thirty.” 

“Don’t forget to account for the young age.” Aurexion joined in. “That should mean there might only be another twenty champions, four of which we already killed.” 

With champions so heavily outnumbered and a surprise start to the war it was easy to see how the Republic had been put in such a bad position, if anything it was a testament to their resilience that they were still standing and in such good shape that Sylvanthal Brightstone and Gryndor had time to send reinforcements for them. 

“Do you think the Empire might try something with so many of our forces here?” Ajax asked. 

“No chance.” The prince shook his head. “They might have before your latest stunt but after what I saw I doubt this war will last another year before it's over. Word of what you managed to do will also get out and the emperor isn’t stupid enough to attack when your duchy is one of the first he will have to hit.” 

Ajax was just about to relax a little when the prince continued. “Highmountain and Deepwood might not be as peaceful. While what you did might stop the Empire before it even begins to move it will also add a lot of pressure to the two of them. I imagine Aranor sent word back within hours of the battle ending and that Sylvanthal had already started political movements to prevent a war within the day.” 

Ajax imagined the dwarven champion might have done something similar but Brightstone was under quite a bit of pressure with one of their champions captured along with two of their squads. That accounted for over a third of the forces they sent to support the Republic. 

Before their force even arrived at the capital Gryndor’s ambassador had already ridden out to meet them. “Your Highness.” The man bowed to the prince. “Arrangements have already been made and the rest of our champions are already on their way back, we expect them all to arrive as early as tomorrow.” 

“How did you…” The prince was surprised, he hadn’t sent word ahead for the negotiations with the council. 

“Your brother has already contacted me and together we worked out an agreement with the council regarding Duke Hearthbound’s delves.” The ambassador showed his social Skills as he clearly not only predicted the prince’s next words but effectively led the conversation. “There were a few concessions we were forced to make but the enemy's most recent movement has effectively forced it out of us.” 

“What concessions?” Aurexion asked. 

Ajax had to give the ambassador his dues. Despite the man being weak enough as to not yet have an Aura he handled Aurexion attention and presence with decorum he hadn’t seen from battle hardened commanders, on the inside however he was sure the man was shaking. 

“The enemy just gave up a large amount of their footsoldiers in order to group up their champions and managed to catch a few squads and another champion by surprise.” From the way the ambassador was defending the concessions Ajax was sure he wasn’t going to like what the concessions were. 

“Are they trying to delay one of the delves?” The prince tried to cut to the point.

“No, Your highness.” The man shook his head. “If anything they are trying to speed them up as much as they can.” 

“Speed them up?” Ajax finally spoke. “The whole point of doing them now was to give me time to recover and get used to… to train.” 

In his haste Ajax realized he almost gave away more than he meant to, sure he had already shared that the way he did what he did was a Pseudo-Mythic Skill but he didn’t want it known that he had only unlocked it during the battle.

“Yes, and the council did their best to work around that.” The ambassador explained. “They want you to delve one dungeon as quickly as possible, come out and rest, then delve the second.” 

“How is that giving him time to train?” The prince asked. 

“Because he can stay inside the second dungeon.” The ambassador spoke. “All our other champions however will do their best to push to the highest floor and clear enough of it to summon the floor boss. After they kill the floor boss they will leave and Lord Hearthbound can remain to clear the floor before exiting.” 

Ajax had to admit that plan was extremely efficient in terms of champion time. Other than himself and Aurexion, accounting for the dungeon’s passage of time on the highest floor and the increased Mana density the rest of the champions could do their part in about half a week and come out rested after sleeping and recovering inside the dungeon.

“They’re just going to let us enter?” the prince asked. 

“There are a few binding contracts that have to be signed before entering.” The ambassador said. “Clauses to ensure a dungeon break isn’t triggered.” 

Both Ajax and the prince looked towards Aurexion at that. Both of them knew the dragon could be bound by a contract but neither believed the Republic would be willing to take that risk. Aurexion was an Ascended and obviously had access to a lot of knowledge humanoids were oblivious about a way out of binding agreements wouldn’t be too far fetched. 

“Your contract Lord Hearthbound would be worded differently to account for your bond.” The ambassador continued. “The Council has also agreed to offer you a delve in their capital dungeons after the war capped as high as a level one hundred floor, Lord Hearthound. In consideration for the last minute change in their agreement exchange with you.”

Ajax was about to ask what good would a delve capped at floor one hundred be for him when he realized they were giving him a full delve not just a spot. It wasn’t something meant to reward him as that would result in too large a risk of a dungeon break, instead this would be a big opportunity for his family as well as his House since he would be able to bring up to forty five of his people and boost them for as much as they could handle. 

“How long do I have inside the dungeon?” Ajax asked. 

“The agreement states no longer than two months, though the council does ask that you try and exit before six weeks have past.” The ambassador clearly knew the agreement by heart since he didn’t even have to check his notes. 

Ajax did the manth, at such a high level floor the time difference was close to three to one, a month and a half would be about the same as four to five months in subjective time. Plenty of time for Ajax to get used to his Skill and recover. 

The prince turned towards Ajax, the question in his eyes obvious was this deal acceptable? Instead of nodding right away Ajax turned towards Aurexion to get the dragon’s take on things, as far as he was concerned four to five months was more than he had initially expected, though the extra privacy of being alone in the dungeon meant he wouldn’t have to bother hiding anything and could instead train without worry. 

Feeling the approval from Aurexion through the bond Ajax turned back to the prince and nodded. The prince in turn gave the ambassador a smile that finally let the slightly overweight man relax. 

The ambassador quickly took his leave to return to the Council with the response while most of Gryndor’s forces turn and began making their way over to the army headquarters where they will be resting until the prince returned following the delves. On their entrance into the capital Ajax and the prince were however approached by another person. 

“Your Highness, Lord Hearthbound, my apologies for the abrupt approach but champion Shadow is extending you both an invitation to join him for dinner this evening.” The man is clearly one of Shadow’s people from the way he was dressed bearing the sigil of Shadow’s House. “He apologises for the abrupt invitation but as he will be leaving the capital tomorrow this is his only chance.”