Rowland, Nahl, Idali, and Uhla stare at me with questioning looks so I stare back while soldiers led by Nobles rush into the arena. I throw a look behind and find the Count standing back up with a good fifty portions of energy swirling around him.

“You think you can just leave now?” The Count asks with a hoarse trembling voice.

“Far from me to question your strategy but… how exactly are we leaving?” Rowland asks nervously.

“We jump, of course.” I reply with a smile.

“Jump?” Uhla blinks.

“Jump.” Idali repeats.

“Jump?” Nahl asks confusedly.

“Jump.” Rowland confirms.

The four all turn around at once to glance over the barricade down the cliff before turning back to me with pale faces. I ignore them for a bit because a huge mass of silver energy is taking shape where I left the Count so I turn to deal with it only to find that it’s also intensely burning.

“Jump.” Uhla says.

“Jump?” Idali questions.

“Jump.” Nahl utters with a firm voice.

“Jump?” Rowland asks with a touch of anxiety.

“Okay, enough of that.” I snap. “I’m not sure how to protect all of us from that much heat so get to it, and quickly or this is going to turn into a bloodbath real soon.”

They exchange glances. The two who used to be part of the Order swallow their saliva while the other two slowly turn to the cliff. The four leap over the barricade at once while screaming with varying levels of fright.

I lion’s leap after them and jump down into the precipice only to then find out that the ground is a lot further away than I thought. I send out all my flow, all hundred-twenty portions including the ten I stored in my gourd.

I turn our rising kinetic force against itself to slow down our descent while gathering air to blow it against us while the four are busy screeching with varying levels of fear and delight.

“Fuck it’s high!” I yell. “Are you all crazy? Why did you jump?” I ask with roaring laughter as stiff wind slams into my face to blow into my messy hair.

“Dammit Jess!” Idali swears with a crazed grin with her arms extended out as if trying to glide like a bird.

“Freepath my ass!” Rowland screams.

“We’re falling too fast!” Nahl calls out.

I chuckle to myself as they start flapping their limbs and begin slowing us down further by progressively hardening the air. As we rapidly approach the inclined bottom of the mountain.

A dozen meters before we smash into the ground, I anchor air-shields under our feet and directly begin slowing us down. I crouch along to absorb the abrupt loss of momentum and keep my balance to gracefully land, they don’t.

They lean forward and drop when I dissipate the constructs to avoid burning my last twenty portions. Nahl makes a roll to recover, Rowland falls flat like a large tree, Idali forcefully stomps down, and Uhla drops on her flank to slide a few meters downhill.

“Urh.” They groan.

“That went a lot better than I thought it would.” I calmly note. They join together to glare at me. “What? You really shouldn’t do everything I tell you to do.” Rowland and Idali burst out in laughter while Nahl fails to repress an amused smile.

“Arrh!” Uhla erupts in frustration.

“Alright, let’s go.” I say while raising my palms to calm her down. “There are a few more targets to take out before we enter Mirus.”

— — —

In the following week, I deal with one more Count as well as a handful of Barons and Baronesses which I either humiliate or kill depending on what they did.

My access grows to forty-five portions regenerated a day, which I take as a sign my health somewhat recovered. We rejoin with the Templars in a border village’s inn. Siegfried and his escort, a man who has spoken so little he may as well be mute.

“What have you two been up two?” I ask while sitting at their table.

“Many Temples in the area are low on manpower because they joined the hunt for Sykus but were then recalled and sent along with the Kruzser regiment to the east so we’ve been helping.” Siegfried responds.

Despite being an Exemplar, which is one of the highest ranks in the Empire, he makes a gentle smile as he mentions this most basic duty of temple guards. I find myself impressed by the old man.

“We’ve sent reports back to Kruzser detailing their needs so we are ready to leave.” He adds.

“Let me guess, you’ve found both a route and a guide already.” I offhandedly throw out, having seen something like this coming since I told him we were going to Mirus even though I didn’t mention Sykus.

“Indeed, although your suspicions are unfounded.” Siegfried replies with a raised eyebrow. “The local Noble house was trying to seize the property of a runaway peasant from Mirus when the Temple had already solved the issue with the previous Liege, the woman in question has agreed to lead us to a discreet trail across the border.”

“Great.” I flatly utter. “Please tell me you didn’t warn half the demesne of my plans.”

“Your name wasn’t mentioned but my mere presence in the region is certain to make Sykus raise his guard.” Siegfried easily answers.

“You fear I’m looking to join him?” I directly ask.

“Join? No. That you would help him and worsen the internal conflict in Mirus, perhaps.” The Exemplar acknowledges. I scowl. “But I’ve not taken action because my hope is that you’ll help convince him to change methods and end his rebellion.”

“I have my own plans, Exemplar.” I say with a harsh tone. “I’ve let you do as you wish by respect for Vicky and to shed light on her death but I have no intention of working for anyone, including the Order.”

“I am merely offering cooperation on the matter since we are likely to, at the very least, cross paths with Sykus’ forces.” Siegfried explains while bringing his knotted hands together.

“Is that so? I’ve found that people offering me cooperation either have specific ideas in mind about what I should do or plan to take advantage of me in some way.” I grunt at the old man.

“Jess, what does it matter considering your plans?” Rowland intervenes.

“It matters because I cannot predict what will happen or what I’ll decide to do.” I coldly reply. “I won’t tie myself down by giving my word on an outcome they desire.”

“Let’s go then, there isn’t anything else to discuss.” Idali cuts in to remark. I nod and rise to leave.

— — —

Our guide leads us into Mirus through a mountain pass, allowing us to cross without worrying about the border guards present on the roads. It takes a few days to reach a village only to find that the only people in it are peasants.

Neither the Liege nor Sykus’ people took residence here or in the local area, it’s as if the former left in fear of being captured while the latter didn’t dare station troops that could be ambushed.

People are living just as well by themselves but a few of the younger generation did leave to join the rebel in Mirus’ northern hills, which is such a large region it doesn’t tell us anything.

The saddest, or perhaps most amusing, bit of information I gather is that soldiers still show up with the same regularity to collect taxes except with a much heavier escort.

Technically, the region’s Liege still controls it but I doubt it counts if they’re absent. What is odd is that the Temple has no Templar assigned to it but is still regularly visited by the villagers.

People here seem to either support Sykus or be indifferent towards him other than to complain about the issues it brought to them. I decide to head north-east to enter the hills Sykus controls to try and make contact.

On the way, we spot a skirmish between riders and spear-wielding peasants on a seemingly random hill. It quickly ends with both sides retreating with their casualties and no obvious victor.

The terrain itself is complicated, there are many hills so scouting for enemies is about as difficult as it would be in Hetlan’s mountains while getting lost is easy if one leaves the dirt roads and doesn’t know the area.

There are farms with some livestock but far fewer than I would have thought since the earth seems about as fertile as it is on Izla Meria, especially when considering that Mirus is the Empire’s grain-basket.

Each of the villages is relatively independent, their smiths may need iron from the mines near the border with Caeviel but, overall they can provide to their needs locally.

The lack of population and wealth may explain why the Kingdom’s Nobility hasn’t sent a large army to scour the lands, there simply isn’t enough food grown here to feed the number of soldiers required to safely explore these expansive hills.

It would be a costly operation to recover a region that seems overall impoverished, which goes against what I’ve been told about the greed of this Kingdom’s Nobility.

A couple of days after witnessing the skirmish, we spot a caravan of a dozen merchants traveling with a squad of mercenaries so I decide to follow them to a village. There, once more, I find no Liege nor any of Sykus’ people but I suspect there are some present but hidden.

Neither bandits nor visitors seem overly unusual in this part of Mirus, which makes sense considering the turmoil and the fact the merchants sold spearheads almost openly in a shadowy street.

“We’re spending the night here, you’re free to do whatever until dawn.” I speak up at the sight.

“Alright!” Idali exclaims.

She instantly grabs Rowland and drags him away towards a building with a wooden sign depicting a full tankard. Nahl chuckles and follows after them with Uhla. I roll my eyes but internally thank Idali for her quick wit. I turn to the Templars and raise an eyebrow to ask for their intentions.

“We will be at the Temple to provide people with the opportunity to relay their issues to our Emperor.” The usually silent Templar speaks up.

Siegfried nods in approval and the two of them depart, leaving me alone at last. Much as these two might represent the best the Order has to offer in some ways, it seems like Templars have failed Mirus by failing to control its Nobility.

Or rather, failing to control peasantry as Nobles pushed and pushed for more. I make my way into a general shop to find that there are tools for sale, perhaps not an overwhelming amount but enough to signify they haven’t been cut off from trade.

Comparatively, there is an odd lack of wooden items and clothes, but then again it isn’t overwhelming. I walk up to the owner, an older man with a slight beer belly and dark hair.

“G’ day to you.” He welcomes me. I am once more thankful that these people don’t have much of an accent.

“I’m Jessica, Freepath, I just arrived in the region.” I introduce myself.

“Welcome then!” He exclaims while opening his arms. They haven’t heard of me yet. “Where do you hail from?”

“Izla Meria.” I say with a tight smile.

“I heard of the Rykz invasion, it is good it ended so quickly.” The man gravely says. “No thanks to your damn Nobles, I ‘eard.” He adds.

“They fought.” I shortly reply with a shrug.

“That Elizabeth Vil, ‘mazing woman I tell ya to reveal how they provoked the Rykz Hive with that Lake-forsaken institute.” He keeps going. “Dame Vil made things right.”

“That she tried, not sure how successful she was.” I respond with an amused smile. Hey, I did what I set out to do. “Anyway, how come I haven’t encountered a single Noble since I arrived?”

“The cowards don’ travel alone with their guards no more, some do come by the region but time Sir Sykus always catches ’em, burns their supplies before they’ve even planted their tents.” The shop owner says with a bragging smile. “Our cowardly Liege’s not gonna try to come back, likely won’t ‘s long as we keep paying the Empror’s taxes.”

“Right.” I say, blinking.

It baffles me that this hilly region’s people, mere dozens of kilometers away from Hetlan where some towns revere their Lieges and others criticize them but don’t really question them, are so vocal about their grievances towards Nobility.

“I did hear of tax collectors, I thought most still paid Mirus’ tax.” I venture.

“Hah!” He scoffs. “No, Nobles hafta collect for the Empire to pay for the war or they’ll have even more trouble finding help to return to their lands because Mirus’ other houses don’t want to pay their part and the Empror must have his Due in full.”

“Sykus allows it?” I ask, suspicious.

“Has to.” The man says with a sharp nod. “Not that Sir Sykus doesn’t want to.” He hurriedly adds. “But last time he made a mistake, the Nobles leveraged it to have the Order send a damn regiment over.”

“Interesting.” I mutter with a corner smile. “How bad were the taxes before?”

“About half, often a lot more because of special taxes that got a lot less special ‘cuz they happened every year.” The shop owner utters with a dark expression.

It’s evident that, because the region is poor and Mirus’ Nobility greedy, the peasantry had to bear heavier taxes and punishments. Rather surprising as well is that they welcome strangers like us and the caravan but have armed guards.

“I’ve seen guards, are there many bandits in the area?” I ask.

“Not recently but you can never tell, they come and go.” He replies with a sigh. “The cowards usually stick to raiding the outer farms but some bands have more guts, they’re really no different from Nobles.”

“You seem like you’d rather be fighting for Sykus rather than tending to that shop.” I remark.

“I would but I’m too old, ya see. But, trust me, we Tillers do our part.” He tells me with an air of mystery.

Evidently, the man has kids who are with Sykus. I wonder how many are in his case, Edusa may have more success drawing refugees than she thought. I’m going to have to be very careful about how to engage Sykus’ people since most may be peasants only seeking a better life.

“So, what brings one from Izla Meria so far east?” The man asks.

“I have some skills with a sword I plan to put to use.” I reply with a wide smile as I spin my umbrella.

“And the gear to go with, I see.” He says while throwing a pointed look where my cloak parts to reveal my cuirass.

“That as well.” I acknowledge. “Would you happen to know which direction I should make my way towards?”

“I’ve heard the south-eastern hills have been ripe with conflict lately, Sir Sykus may very well be there himself.” He tells me with a big grin. “But you’ll also find high born with more spines but with less brains and a propensity for hanging, so beware.” The emphasis he puts on the last words draws me to nod seriously. “What can I do for you then?” He asks while waving his arm at his shelves.

“A sharpening stone, a couple gourds, and maybe some grease to take care of my armor.” I reply.

After paying, and sharing a made-up anecdote about how I knocked out a Noble harassing me and stole his bag of coin which is what led me to flee Caeviel, I head for the tavern to find all four of my ungrateful companions drinking beer without me in an isolated corner.

“Jess! We kept a seat but we weren’t sure you’d come.” Rowland calls out.

I glare at them and stomp over to steal his tankard because he spoke first. Rowland smilingly lets it go and calls the waiter as I finish his half-empty drink in one go.

“It’s a lot less fun if you don’t protest.” I remark.

“For you.” He whispers.

“So, now that we’re not on the road anymore and can rest, you can tell us a bit more right?” Nahl speaks up.

“About?” I ask with a sigh because it’s a lot more difficult to deflect when we’re not traveling and don’t have much to do.

“The Rykz, what were they like? Especially that, Selhykz?” He says.

“Celyz.” I snappily correct. “First, they don’t lie but that doesn’t mean you can trust them. What they omit to say can tell you a lot or not anything at all.”

“Weird.” Uhla mutters.

“Also, those I met were cowardly but not emotionally so.” I say.

“How does that work?” Rowland asks.

“They can fight, and do so very well, but they will choose not to if given any other option.” I explain. “That, of course, doesn’t apply to the drones which are almost polar opposites. They’ll fight if given a pretext to even if it isn’t advisable but aren’t individually good at it.”

“But, how is it to talk to them?” Nahl presses.

“Terrifying.” Rowland murmurs.

“Interesting.” I say. “They are very knowledgeable in their subjects of study and, Celyz at least, is driven by a desire to share and learn without fear of being found wrong.”

“Is she the one who ruled in Meria for a little while?” Uhla asks.

“Yes, why?” I question.

“I met her, I think, or rather my Uncle did.” She says. “The Princess tried to exchange information with him about healing methods.”

“He refused?” I ask, feeling a pinch in my heart from hearing about my oak.

“Of course, everything he knows belongs to the Order.” Uhla tells me with a puzzled look.

“Right, he’s an Alemplar.” I note. “Still, he would have benefited if he agreed.” I affirm, shaking my head.

“What could a Rykz know the Order wouldn’t?” Nahl asks.

“Things kept secret by the Empire.” I respond. “And perhaps knowledge that hasn’t spread yet.”

“How is it to talk to that Princess? Personally?” Uhla questions with a gleam of interest in her eyes.

“Fun. She’s so very serious about certain things but she does have a sense of humor.” I tell them, losing myself a bit to my memories. “I broke her knee once, she brought it up a few times but I never felt like she resented me.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” Rowland asks in a dreamy voice. Idali nods virulently.

“Hey!” I protest. “Anyway, she’s the most peaceful of the Princesses I met.” I change the subject. “But Cetyz, her sister, is rather naive and innocent. Fenyz, on the other hand, would probably eat you all for breakfast.”

“R, really?” Uhla asks with a nervous expression. Yes.

“Probably not.” I reassure her. “All I’m saying is that there is no way to tell you how ‘Princesses’ are because they all have very different personalities like we do.”