Chapter 661 (Patreon)

Inside the Council chamber

“Are you sure it was a good idea to agree to the delves?” The topic for debate for among the councilors present was for once not directly about the war, though still highly relevant to it. “He only got as high as level one hundred last time, he might clear another six or seven floors, imagine what he’d do then.” 

“At least eight.” Firebeard jumped in, the champion was standing in place of Shadow who was at this moment preparing to have dinner with the man the entire conversation was centred around. “From what I saw from him and the dragon along with the reports from the last battle I think he will clear eight floors in one dungeon and another five in the other.” 

More than five levels worth of stats gained in under a month by someone who was already fighting on even footing with champions despite being one hundred levels lower than them. And that wasn’t the end of it. 

“This war is also hard for him.” Firebeard continued, “it might not read like it in the battle reports but a lot of that is because of Aurexion, the dragon hasn’t been meaningfully challenged yet though I feel that might change as he takes the field more often and tactics around dealing with him are being refined even as we speak.” 

It was easy to forget that champions had centuries of experience in fighting other champions, their time in the dungeons however did nothing to prepare them for fighting a being like Aurexion. The monsters in the dungeons might have his power level but none of them had his intelligence, raw power and access to burst magic, at least none they had yet found. 

“That should put us at ease?” The question was asked with a little outrage. “The future overlord is at least having a hard time.” 

The absence of Archduke Goldenmouth was also felt by the council but the Archduke also had an invitation to join Shadow for the evening. The same was true for Archduke Warborne but he was too busy dealing with the war to attend, considering the number of people who were missing this council session was more of a way for the council members not busy to not feel left out.

“That’s not why I was pointing it out.” Firebeard said. “While I believe we can trust the kid and that he’s a good man I am here to report.” Firebeard was raised as a soldier, he might have had his outbursts in battle but when it came to reporting he took his responsibility as a champion of the Republic seriously. “The reason I am pointing out that he is having a hard time is that you need to consider it.” 

“You want us to try and make things easier for him?” The councilor asked. “Think that he might see us in a favorable light?” 

“That is a question for Archduke Goldenmouth, one I think he’d be better equipped to handle depending on how his dinner tonight goes.” Firebeard pointed out. “What I’m trying to point out is that despite his power level Lord Hearthbound’s is still only in the low sixties, but from how hard he has been pushing himself I doubt that will remain true for long.” 

Silence descended on the room as Firebeard’s words landed. The councilors might not know about Ajax’s increased experience gain yet but even without it for someone of his level facing the difficulties he has been pushing himself through a rapid increase in level is only to be expected. 

“The deal with Gryndor has already been struck.” The topic got changed. “Lets focus on the war, depending on how we make it through it we’ll need to adapt to what happens next.” 

The Hearthbound Estate

“The empire is intent on sending another diplomatic delegation to us.” Lexi said as she put the two messages House Hearthbound received on the table, one from the imperial royal family and one from Gryndor’s royal family informing them that the Empire wanted to send another delegation. 

“And we’re expected to just receive them?” Tom knew he was letting what happened last time the imperials had visited them prejudice him but considering that Jake had been attacked he wasn’t inclined to just let things pass. “Them visiting again so soon could mark us as traitors feeding information to the empire, not like some of the other nobles needed more reasons to move against us.” 

“I doubt anyone will think we’re traitors.” Judy patted her brother on the arm. “Do you know who’s going to be coming?” 

While Tom’s words might have been true in a vacuum, the idea that House Hearthbound were traitors would be a bad joke and nothing more. It still wasn’t hard to see how a lot of other noble Houses might be jealous of their rise to prominence. 

Due to House Hearthbound’s hard work almost all of the former slaves that had arrived from the empire had settled in their duchy, most of them had gone on to work at their quarry. Their improved lifestyle added on top of the massive economic boom brought forward by Ajax’s work with cement meant their population was growing, thriving and loved their lords. 

Such developments were rare but not unheard of in the history of nobles. Such increases are usually evened out as the House’s low military or political power reigns them in and spreads the wealth to the other nobles, still leaving the House as better than it started. 

House Hearthbound however had progressed rapidly not only in terms of monetary capability with their innovation but also in terms of their military power, Ajax’s return at a champion level along with a bond of similar power moved House Hearthbound to among the top ten Houses including the royal family based solely off of Ajax, Aurexion and Lancel.

In terms of political pressure however they had close ties to House Goldmancer, House Steelblade, a friendly relationship with House Silvertongue, the protection of the crown as a newly established House and an engagement with House Manashaper.

“Prince Zilfallon will be leading the delegation.” Lexi answered with a small grimace. The empire hadn’t exactly been subtle as of late and it was clear that the emperor was pushing a match between his youngest son and Judy as a way to tie the Empire to House Hearthbound. “Furthermore, what remains of House Septimus after a plot for revenge against us was discovered has lost any and all noble standing.” 

“They’re really pulling out all the stops.” Judy mused, she had never met prince Zilfallon before but just the idea that the man was much older than her grandfather despite looking younger than her father was something she was having trouble accepting. Since they became a ducal House she had been slowly getting more accustomed to the idea of her marriage being at least influenced by political motives but it was quite a leap from that to a prince a century and a half older than her courting her.

“I’d like to say there is no pressure on you, but with the way things are right now and the war…” Lexi let out a sigh. “Don’t feel pressured to accept anything, but as long as he is polite about his attempt at courtship the royal family asks that even if you choose to reject the proposal we must do so politely.”

The frown on the faces of House Hearthbound slowly disappeared as they all read the PS on the letter written by prince Xavier, who reassured them that should Zilfallon do anything untoward the royal family will stand behind them and their choice in how to handle the situation.

“At least this will make it easy for you to delay on your responses to all your other suitors.” Lexi tried to look for a silver lining. Over the past two years it had come as no surprise that Judy and even Alana to a lesser extent as she was not related by blood to House Hearthbound but tightly intertwined, had been overwhelmed with marriage proposals. 

“Any news about Ajax?” Sam asked about his son. 

“Yes.” Surprisingly the answer came from Lancel who soaked in the shocked look on Lexi’s face. “The king sent me an update on a very recent battle that took place days ago. The information had to be delivered securely.” 

“Is he injured?” Silvia worried about the need for secrecy. 

“He did push himself too far according to the reports.” Lancel said. “But he did so while he and Aurexion killed two champions, injured two more and captured a fifth.”

Unlike almost anyone else who heard the report of the battle, House Hearthbound wasn’t filled with joy, instead they were all worried. “Won’t this put a target on his back?” 

“He is also returning to the Republic capital and is going to be spending some time in their dungeons to help with his training and recovery.” Lancel’s words brought with them a wave of relief as well as a hint of exasperation about Ajax’s obsession with delving.

With their worries about Ajax’s well being lessened the family changed topics once more to an issue they were better equipped to handle in the immediate future. 

“Have we decided how we are going to deal with the abundance of skilled craftsmen?” Lexi asked as she looked towards Silvia and Elija. 

With the children they were teaching picking up so many more Skills there was an abundance of low Skill labor as the older kids going to school in the morning now had options on how to make money after school was over besides hard labor. This excess workforce was starting to hurt the established craftsmen who had to lower their prices to remain competitive.