История Королевы Эльфов / The story of the Elf Queen: Глава одиннадцатая. Мастер. Трудовые будни Архиврага Героя Королевы Эльфов

Chapter Eleven. Master. The Workdays of the Arch-Enemy of the Hero of the Elf Queen.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 06:35

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Camrad_RIP 12.10.26 в 19:31

Underworld. Diyarten.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 06:35

Frowning slightly and casting a quick glance at his mother, Dacius asked.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 07:33

"What is this 'detetive' you sometimes mention?"

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 09:54

With a slight sigh, Master explained.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 09:55

"Detective. That’s what they called investigators in that lowlife’s world. As for the phrase itself, I lifted it from a rather decent story I glimpsed in his memory—one about just such an investigator. I might even show it to you later. Now, regarding your question… Hmm…"

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 09:58

Master leaned back in his chair and fell into deep thought. He pondered for several minutes, gazing up at the hall’s ceiling while slowly chewing another handful of dried berries. Violetta and her little ones waited patiently, making no attempt to rush him.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 09:58

"Fun..."

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 09:58

"What exactly?" Lady Edelhart inquired.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 12:35

With a smirk, Master turned to Violetta and said.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:09

"It is funny to say, but I had never really given it much thought. For years, my primary goal was to obtain the Tablet, yet—despite some partial successes—I simply could not get close to it. I never stopped searching for a way to acquire it, but in essence, it was a search conducted blindly, in total darkness, relying on luck."

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:10

Popping another handful of berries and a couple of hazelnuts into his mouth, Master continued.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:10

"And then, as you already know, I focused on seizing power in the Theocracy, intending to use all its resources to boost the efficiency of my search. I had assumed, moreover, that this would take decades more. But instead, luck smiled upon me quite suddenly—albeit not at the most opportune moment..."

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:11

Having swallowed the berries and nuts, Master washed them down with a sip of water and summed up.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:25

"And then things spiraled, and I—or rather, we—ended up here. In the wonderful city of Diyarten. As for what comes next... I haven't thought about that yet. I simply didn't have the time. First, we had to escape our pursuers, then deal with the spider-woman, and now..."

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:53

"So now is the time to give this crucial question serious thought," Violetta declared confidently, even with a hint of unyielding resolve.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:54

She picked up one of her sheets of paper containing some notes. Looking at her with undisguised interest, Master inquired.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:54

"Have you already prepared any options?"

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:55

"I took the liberty of considering a few options while you were busy with the spider," Violetta said, nodding.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:55

After that, she cleared her throat and said in a businesslike tone.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 13:56

"Our most fundamental problem is that, thanks to the elves, practically the whole world is looking for you right now, Master. Perhaps not as zealously as in those first few days, but the search certainly hasn't stopped—as your wonderful mirror clearly shows. I believe we need to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. So far, you... we... have been lucky. But Lady Fortune does not smile upon anyone forever, and if we do nothing, sooner or later we will be found. And even Diyarten cannot offer us a guarantee of complete safety."

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:07

"And what do you propose, Lady Edelhart?" Master asked with genuine interest. "To begin preparing for war against the entire world? To flee beyond the East or Southeastern Seas to uncharted lands and lie low there?"

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:14

"The first would be the most idiotic of all possible solutions," Violetta replied quite calmly, and even with a touch of irony, "and I am absolutely certain that you realize this yourself. The second would be an interesting option—were it not for the fact that the elves hold an outworlder who also possesses a Tablet."

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:15

At the mention of the latter, Master involuntarily grimaced, as if from a toothache. Violetta, however, continued.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:15

"No, the most obvious—and, in my view, correct—answer in our situation is to split the coalition that is hunting us down. Especially since that would be far from difficult. Most of those currently hunting us cannot stand one another; the only thing uniting them is us—as a common enemy. Therefore…"

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:17

Casting a glance at her list, Violetta continued.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:17

"…the first thing I suggest we consider is something you yourself have already mentioned, Master. Pay the elves back in their own coin. Telling the whole world that while it chases us, the Forest is nurturing its own bearer of the Tablet and gaining its gifts."

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:18

"I wholeheartedly approve," Master nodded with a gloating smirk. "But it is impossible to do so while we are in the process of moving—I already explained why."

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:19

"But that doesn't stop us from working out a plan of action and discussing the details in advance," Violetta replied calmly. "What exactly we’ll communicate, how, and through whom. It would be best to notify as many of our enemies as possible—and to do it simultaneously. And, most importantly, to do it in such a way that we aren't found."

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:23

"Write a message in advance and send it out to the recipients?" Dacius suggested.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:23

But then he immediately contradicted himself.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:24

"No, it needs to be both received and read at the same time; that sort of thing doesn’t…"

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:24

"Record a message using image-capturing crystals," Shira interrupted. "They can be enchanted to display the recording simultaneously. That way, no one will be the first to learn the news about the isekai."

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:07

"It’s a good idea,” said Saya, “but how do we deliver them to the right recipients? Not all the rulers of the Free Cities can be easily approached, not to mention the Lord of the Rising Empire..."

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:07

"Why only them?" For the first time during the conversation, Lenora raised her voice.

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:27

Violetta’s daughter glanced uncertainly at those gathered around the table and explained.

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:08

"It would be to our advantage if as many players as possible learned about this… Cirial, wouldn't it? Then there’s no need to inform only the rulers of the various lands. We could place them right in the cities, so that all the inhabitants can see…"

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:09

"And not just one," Dacius said, picking up his sister's idea. "We’ll need dozens... no, hundreds of such crystals! To cover all the cities of the Confederation... and the Caliphate... no, every major city!"

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:10

"You make it all sound so simple. Are you going to haul these crystals across the world yourself?" Master looked at Dacius with a faint smirk, causing him to fall silent instantly.

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:12

But Violetta, not the least bit flustered, calmly supported her son and daughter.

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:13

"I agree that this won’t be easy. Or cheap. But this move is guaranteed to drive a wedge into the ranks of the coalition that is hunting us down. So the question is: is it possible?"

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:13

"Hm..."

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:22

Having already—some moments earlier—split his consciousness into several streams of thought and considered the proposals put forward, Master spoke slowly.

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:28

"It is possible to pull this off... In the region of the Central Sea—certainly... I wouldn't risk venturing into the lands of the Theocracy just yet, but there’s no need to; they’ll be informed regardless... But beyond that... Things will get complicated further on, yet with a solid portal anchor—which we have—and if I can glean enough knowledge from the Tablet to ensure safety... then it might be possible to reach the dark-skinned inhabitants of the Southern Continent. And the Eastern Shores, via the Great Steppe... I’m not so sure about the Gem Cities beyond the southeastern seas... I’ve never been there, and I have no puppets in that region... Yes, I think it will be possible to alert—if not the entire world—then at least a significant part of it," Master nodded with satisfaction.

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:29

"We could try using the Messengers' Guild," suggested Nodri, who had been listening silently to the conversation all this time.

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:30

She remained silent, largely because she kept stuffing her face, her chubby cheeks bulging as she ate. How does she—or halflings in general—manage to put in so much food? Anyway, that’s not important right now!

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:31

"It is possible—and, in fact, it certainly wouldn't hurt. But we would have to act with extreme caution," Master nodded.

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:32

"We still have a few contacts through whom we received information from it—contacts that had absolutely no connection to either you or your accomplices," Saya agreed.

Camrad_RIP 14.10.26 в 16:32

"Good," Violetta nodded with satisfaction. "So, the next question is: how much will this cost us? And can we afford it?"

Camrad_RIP 13.10.26 в 14:28