Anastacia woke up while being carried by King. She was slightly confused but everyone seemed to be alive, and the inquisitors weren’t attacking them, so they had probably won the battle. She could remember killing Cerise but wasn’t sure what had happened with Carmine.

“Did we win?” Anastacia asked and stretched her neck.

“We did, it did get a bit dire for a second though.” Gilbert said and laughed. “You saved our sorry asses back there.”

“Yeah, you did, but that revealed a problem with you. You really should have someone to teach you.” Alice pointed out. “Right now, you’re basically a barrel of gunpowder that explodes without a direction, killing everyone. Whereas you could be a loaded cannon, firing on command and far more dangerous to your enemies, while not being a threat to everyone around you.”

“But I have the book Alizarin wrote…” Anastacia said.

“Which is probably why we’re not all dead right now. But that book is just the basics for inquisitors.” Alice continued explaining. “If boss wasn’t so angry at you, she could turn you into something even the greatest of kings would bow to.”

“That’s why I left though. I want to be me and not something else.” Anastacia rebutted. “You guys are barely better than the assholes I grew up with! Same shit as the cult, but this time with a smile that looks good for the rest of the world!”

“Quit your bickering!” Gilbert ordered and pushed the two apart. “We should be celebrating our victory! Whatever the problem is, we’ll figure it out later, okay?”

The necromancers obeyed but kept making rude gestures at each other for the rest of the way back to Valor.

Back at the inn, Rosie had been waiting for them anxiously. Even though she knew her friends would no doubt win, she was still nervous and tried to hide it by keeping herself busy with dishwashing. Every time the inn’s door opened, Rosie rushed out of the kitchen to see if they had returned, and when they finally did, she picked up the drugged priestess and squeezed her as hard as she could.

“Looks like all of you made it.” Rosie said and released Emilia. “I’ll get the drinks out!”

As she went back to the kitchen, the adventurers sat down around a free table to wait. Dammar let out a slight grunt in doing that, his insides were more or less healed but they’d be sore for a day or two.

“You said you were hit with one of these last time, when does this wear off?” Emilia whispered to Anastacia. “I’m pretty sure I can see voices.”

“No idea. I just kind of woke up in a forest.” Anastacia shrugged.

“Just stop me if I do anything weird.” The priestess requested and leaned closer to Anastacia. “I caught them this time though. You didn’t need to get revived again!”

“Yeah, you did well. But please don’t stare at me like that, it’s creepy.” Anastacia said. “Just close your eyes for now if you can’t handle it, or something.”

The group celebrated their victory and went over the whole fight since Alice, King and Xamiliere hadn’t seen what the other group did and vice versa. The necromancers occasionally tried to continue their feud but were stopped by the others.

“So, we’re down to one evil necromancer then? Alice, can you share anything about them?” Gilbert asked to change the subject.

“That would be Amaranth, she was the leader of the whole inquisition and their connection to the cult’s leaders. She’s absurd, but for some reason lacks the gift me and this brat over here share. Right now, we have no idea whether she’ll actually come out to get Anastacia or stay at the castle to protect the cult from us. But they’re losing support every day and at some point, they need to do something. If they attack the rebellion, we’ll just wipe them out. But if they stay in the castle, we can’t really do anything without losing a lot of people.” Alice explained. “If she comes out to get Anastacia, we’ll attack the cult.”

“This Amaranth, do you think we can handle her?” Maximillian asked.

“Right now? No. She’ll wipe the floor with you unless Anastacia fixes her attitude and actually trains.” The apprentice admitted. “I’d love to help you guys, but my place is with my team. I’ll ask if we’ll be able to help in any way when I go back to Mournvalley."

Anastacia knew Alice was right. The combination of her powers and the tendency to panic was dangerous to everyone, and lack of skill limited her usefulness in combat. But she also refused to be pushed around by anyone from Mournvalley, rebel or cultist. Training by just using necromancy did do something, but it was inefficient and would only work up to a point. Maybe she could find a mage and try to apply some of the methods they use?

As the night progressed, people started to slowly flow to their rooms until only the necromancers and King were left downstairs. Holly had manned the counter a while ago and occasionally carried out drinks for the nocturnal guests. Anastacia and Alice hadn’t said anything to each other in a while and just sat in silence while trying to figure out whether they were actually having a fight or not.

“You know, I wasn’t trying to be rude earlier.” Alice said suddenly. “Just pointed out what I saw, and I think every necromancer in the world agrees with me. You’re a massive waste of potential.”

“I’ll rather be a waste of potential than a tool. Even this whole arrangement we have makes me uncomfortable.” Anastacia said. “After we’re done, you can all fuck off from my life.”

“I used to be a bit like that too. Back before the rebellion, I was just a low rank servant for the cult. Being one of the few that are able to control living material didn’t matter, since I wasn’t part of the leading families. I was just about to get tired of the life in Mournvalley and just being used as a tool.” Alice laughed to her past misery. “But I guess I got lucky, since Coquelicot noticed me and gave me proper training and the respect I deserved.”

“Yeah, congratulations on being part of the side that’s about ruling by power instead of some stupid ancient method that no one really understands. That’s way better.” Anastacia pointed out sarcastically.

Alice sighed and got up.

“Feel free to come and tell me I was right when you hurt someone with your half-assed skills.” She said. “Now, before I leave. Could you tell me where Gilbert’s room is? There’s something I need to do.”

“Ew. Just ew.” Anastacia pretended to gag and pointed upstairs. “Room six.”